One of the highlights of my year thus far was being involved in helping some Hope Town students at the Hope Town Primary School with an amazing project. Their project was writing and illustrating a book about a inquisitive lizard named “Up” and his adventures. This was the second of what will be a delightful series of books written and totally illustrated by the students for children of all ages.

Although my part in assisting was very small, I was really honoured to be asked to help and the students and other volunteers made it quite fun! The main organizer and visionary for the project is an amazing mom/businesswoman/artist named Heather Prosa-Forde who wears many “hats” with ease. Anyone who visits Hope Town in search of an amazing coffeehouse experience knows her.

Each week brought on a new project, technique and result

Heather would not only try to envision how to illustrate the story as the children wrote it, but also how to maximize the learning that could be incorporated. Perhaps we could work recycling into the project (like making the lighthouse lens with discarded plastic bottles) or teach the children a mixed media technique (like the night time scene with the houses making saltwater out of torn watercolour paper and reflective windows out of foil) or even basics like how to use a ruler, perspective, colours, and on and on. Each page is the result of hard work by the students, but even more creative work and forethought by Heather.

So each week, myself and many other talented artists, would show up to work with the students, sometimes in a group setting, sometimes one on one, to show them as much as we could about the art techniques needed for the days project and the results never failed to amaze us. This photo just shows part of the credit page. I know this was great fun for everyone involved!

Please consider purchasing a book and supporting these Hope Town students and the lighthouse

Besides what the students learned about art is the wonderful fact that what they create in the classroom can essentially open doors to them that would otherwise never open. These books show the world not just their artistic talents but also a little about their unique lighthouse and their amazing life in the Abacos, Many of these children have never left their island homes to see that the world is a big place. Working with “Up” and the Hope Town students was an experience I will never forget. My hope is that perhaps this book may allow them to see that even small contributions can make a difference. I will write more on the lighthouse. It is amazing in it’s own right.

Visit Hope Town and the Lighthouse

A visit to Hope Town is something to not only look forward to, but it will be remembered long after you return home. It is one of those places that still exude a charm and quaintness that takes visitors back to a quieter time and place. The fishing and diving are incredible and it is not over crowded with casinos and tourist traps. It is a working settlement that welcomes visitors from all over the world, eager to share both it’s rich history and it’s present attributes. One of the gems in this community is the Wyannie Malone Museum, which for a very modest fee, you can literally walk through the islands history. But the subject of the “Up” book that is visible before you even reach is one of the most recognizable lighthouses in the world.

Lighthouse lovers the world over treasure the experience of visiting this special lighthouse, which is literally the last of it’s kind. It employs the last two lighthouse keepers on the planet who keep the kerosene burning. Literally. They wind the mechanisms every 2 hours every night, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. It is truly an experience to remember. There are several other books on this wonderful subject including one by Annie Potts, who is one of the foremost experts on Lighthouses–this one in particular, “Last Lights” is fascinating and all encompassing.

But whatever your interests and whatever your age, please read about “Up” and his fun adventures! It is available in the US at  floridaclassicslibrary.com. It is sure to be enjoyed by everyone and it might just inspire you or someone you love to put a visit to Hope Town on your places to be sure and experience. You won’t be disappointed by either!