New Mosaic Installation at Kuyima in Baja California
Using a portion of her Sierra Arts Foundation Fellowship Award along with sponsorship by Richied & Associates, Eileen donated and installed her "Baby Gray Whale" mosaic at Kuyimá in April 2008. Kuyima is a local Baja California company dedicated to the development of ecotourism in the San Ignacio area of Baja California. Their aim is to foster sustainable development in their community through all of their programs. They promote the discovery of gray whales in the San Ignacio Lagoon, and organize trips to see the cave paintings of the San Francisco and Santa Marta Mountains, and educate kids about the environment in their summer camps.
Eileen was inspired to create the mosaic after a visit where she and a group of friends petted whales for the first time. These giant creatures come to San Ignacio Lagoon every year to give birth in this quiet, warm safe haven. As part of what they offer at Kuyima, you can take a boat tour with an experienced guide to go out and view the whales. If the whales (Moms and babies both!) nose up to the boats to say 'hello', you can touch their rubbery skin to say 'hello' back. It's an amazing experience!
Images:
Top - Our arrival at San Ignacio Lagoon Airstrip; Eileen working on installation at Kuyima
Middle - Sponsors, friends and new Kuyima friends all sign the back of one of the mosaic panels before installation
Bottom - New friends and newly installed 'Baby Gray Whale' mosaic at Kuyima!
