The work of an art instructor in Cuba presents unique characteristics that reflect the rich cultural tradition, as well as the social and educational context in which they operate, because in addition to teaching artistic techniques, they promote the comprehensive development of students and encourage the appreciation of art in society.
February 18th is dedicated to these men and women as Art Instructor Day in Cuba, a date that coincides with the birth of Olga Alonso González, who was a recognized precursor of this brigade in the nation.
In the province of Holguin, there is a consolidated presence of the “José Martí” Brigade of Art Instructors, whose members work in different educational centers in the territory, from the city to the fields, where they bring their art and teachings to the little ones.
Thus, we find Carlos Rafael Escalona Crúz, a visual arts instructor, who has been working in education since 2008, in the Holguin municipality of Baguanos, who since he was a child created his own tools and materials to work with the wax of bee hives and create his sculptures.
This peculiar technique of preparing wax for modeling sculptures in an artisanal way led him to win the Provincial Forum of Science and Technology in 2000 and was the material used to, together with local professor Eddy Ibarra, win the first National Prize of the “Yo Soy de Donde Crece la Palma Contest” in the Granma municipality of Jiguani, with a sculpture representing the apostle, José Martí.
The observant child who represented what was typical of peasant life was trained in the art of teaching and today the profession occupies a fundamental place: “For me, being an art instructor means something very big. A great merit to be able to develop what one likes and teach it. Transmitting knowledge is something natural that should happen and educating the youngest in the process marks personal life,” he explained.
It is precisely the work with children that motivates him the most in his daily work in territorial unit number 18 of the Ministry of Education José Tey Sainz of the Popular Council of Bijarú, Tacajó, Báguanos: “Working with children is wonderful,” he added, “there are also special children who take a huge affection for what you do and teach them, because the work of the art instructor is love and teaching a child to paint and give nuances and colors motivates them a lot, the children “They come out to welcome you and that’s nice.”
The also vice president of the “José Martí” Brigade of Art Instructors in the municipality of Báguanos, comments on the joy of influencing the lives of his students: “The art instructor impacts the students because many of those I taught have been inclined towards the arts and some are already instructors like me. Today they are practicing the profession; It is a pride to feel that one influenced the love for the race. Knowing that there are students who follow you and value you.”
The work of this art instructor also led him to fulfill an internationalist mission in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in 2011, in the “Mision Cultura Corazón Adentro,” founded in 2008 by the then Commander Hugo Chávez Frías. Social program that stood out for its positive impact on the consolidation and protection of the national identity of the sister nation, a period in which Escalona Crúz served as president of the Cuban brigade in the State of Anzoátegui where he was assigned.
The passing of the years and the arrival of the covid-19 pandemic in Cuba was another challenge that this resident took on with courage and responsibility, when he responded to the country’s call to provide solidarity help to patients who were in quarantine: “In those days I moved to the Granjita Siboney polytechnic, which served as an isolation center. There I worked in the red zone bringing food to the sick and cleaning. Although they were difficult times, I did not become infected thanks to the use of possible protection and the exchange with the medical team. For my work in those days I later received the Doctors of the Soul distinction, another of the recognitions that fill me with pride.”
Currently Carlos Rafael Escalona Crúz maintains his job as a teacher and directs the community project “Dibujando los Ajíes”, in the Bijarú Popular Council, Báguanos, where interventions related to the plastic arts and other activities are carried out in conjunction with the National Institute of Sports and Recreation. In addition, he is currently a delegate of the Popular Power of his neighborhood.
The work of an art instructor, like this Holguin native, is multifaceted and significantly impacts the artistic and personal development of his students, fostering an environment where creativity can flourish.
With information from Leannis Berbén Leyva/ Translated by Radio Angulo
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