Eyes of the Innocent holding sale

By Meg Olson

Students at the local primary school are gearing up for their art show and sale, featuring works they’ve created under the guidance of local artist Eddie Buendia.

“I really like it because I am interested in painting and drawing and it was fun to use the real stuff like the brushes and the palettes,” said kindergarten student Audrey Habros.

Buendia’s program is designed to free the children’s creativity while introducing them to the tools a professional artist would use, starting with their own personal palettes. “I handmade all the palettes myself,” Buendia said. “The kids pick the palettes and I tell them the palettes are like they are – all are different and all are good.”

Students in kindergarten, first and second grades start by drawing a live model using pencil and charcoal, then they move outside and paint using acrylics on paper. “The last project they’ll do is canvas painting with acrylics,” Buendia said. “When we get to that point we’re just going to paint. Paint what you see.”

This is the second session of Buendia’s Eyes of the Innocent program to run at the primary school. He developed the program in Los Angeles 20 years ago after completing studies at Oxford University. From gang members in East L.A. to first nations communities and local homeschoolers, Buendia has taught his students to value their individuality and honor their environment and their community by “looking at it, learning it and loving it,” and expressing that love through art.

The six-week program is sponsored jointly by the Point Roberts Arts Foundation and Buendia Arts Studios. The Point Roberts Marina has donated the use of the Marina Club for the final show, March 20 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The student’s artwork will be for sale and donations to help support the program in the future are welcome.