Banco makes art popular for students at P.S. 94

A Sunset Park Banco Popular turned into an art gallery forstudents of Public School 94 through a program that seeks to expandyoung minds through art.

Cynthia Felix, a deputy network leader for the GrapevineNetwork, wrote the grant for the program which provided thestudents with the art class, supplies and instruction fromprofessional artist Ana Soto.

We wrote a grant because we belief in the arts for thechildren, and with so many budget cuts regrettably the first thingthey do is cut the arts, said Felix.

After the students-who are in pre-k, kindergarten and firstgrade– completed their masterpieces, the school asked the bank todisplay the work in the building for the community to see.

Branch Manager Damaris Santiago said she immediately agreed,stressing that she likes to help the community especially if itinvolves helping children.

The program operates in many schools in the city each year, butFelix said they chose P.S. 94 this time because of its diversityand because it has a large non-English speaking population. Felixsaid she believes the arts help the students express themselves andconnect without speaking.

For more pictures on the art exhibition please click here