History of the Sri Lanka Art Project

Born in the aftermath of the tsunami, a group of students from Eugene Lang College and their art professor Pamela Lawton went to Sri Lanka in the summer of 2005 and conducted art lessons with 180 children in the southern city of Galle, along the Indian Ocean Coast. Returning in 2006, the program, through the support of Eugene Lang College, tripled in size and scope. Collaborating with local artists, art historians, artists’ groups and The University Of Visual and Performing Arts, as well as the Academy of Design, both in the capital city of Colombo, the Sri Lanka Art Project gained tremendous local support. Dr. Palitha Kohona, Secretary General of the Secretariat for Coordinating the Peace Process (SCOPP) in Sri Lanka, as well as the New York Vihara Foundation, have provided ongoing assistance and support. The outcome has been far greater than expected, including involvement on a local level in Sri Lanka with a sustainable mentoring program between professional Sri Lankan artists and the children.

Through the support of John Douglas Reid-Green of the BASF Corporation, contemporary Sri Lankan artists’ works were gathered to demonstrate professional artists’ support for this project. To view the artworks, or to place advance bids, please go to www.srilankaartproject.com.

Special thanks to Dean Jonathan Veitch, Eugene Lang College, Dr. Palitha Kohona, Secretary General of the Secretariat for Coordinating the Peace Process (SCOPP) in Sri Lanka, John Douglas Reid-Green, BASF Corporation, Sunil Herath and The Kins Group.