Calidoscopio Cubano (Cuban Kaleidoscope) is the result of an innovative workshop that that took place during the summer of 2003 with 15 Cuban children from the Playa and Marianao neighborhoods of Havana. For one week in July, 10 American photography and art teachers introduced young people to creative art projects, including Polaroid transfers, mask making, handmade journals and photography.

The program was conceived as part Cuba-Foto, my ongoing cultural exchange project between Cuban and American photographers. In colloboration with Cuban Project Director Gonzalo González, I designed the workshop to involve and encourage the innate talents of children to express their culture and environment through photography and art.

The people-to-people contact provided by the Calidoscopio Cubano program promotes a relationship that bonds artists and children. In addition, this project offers an outlet for expression that educates the public about the importance of cultural exchange within a society.

Cuba, a country rich in culture and natural beauty, has a heritage that is richly bestowed onto its children. Historically, Cuba -- a leader in education -- has nurtures its children in a very special way through lifestyle and family structure combined with the beauty of the environment. This project captured the unique perspective of Cuban children towards of their families and friends, their neighborhood and the places and experiences they encounter.

The fruits of the project are the photographs and works of art presented in this exhibit. The sharing, solidarity and new perception of the world immediately comes to focus through the children's work. The fact that young people observe the world through different eyes than adults has helped us to discover the arts one more time. We did not "teach" children photography and art but simply shared our knowledge and abilities with them.

Though image-makers from around the globe have photographed Cuba, this exhibit presents a unique and fresh perspective of the country -- through the eyes of its youngest residents.

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