Governor and First Lady to Host Ugandan Art Exhibit in St. Thomas, United Nations-Led Benefit to Assist Children of Uganda

”Welcome to Gulu” Exhibition to Feature 200 Paintings, Tickets on Sale Now

Governor John P. de Jongh, Jr. and First Lady Cecile de Jongh are pleased to announce that an exhibit of artwork created by Ugandan children will visit St. Thomas on December 12, 2009 at Catharineberg. The “Welcome to Gulu” exhibit features original creations by children ages 8-13 who were abducted from their families and conscripted into the rebel army as child soldiers or sex slaves. 

The exhibition was previously featured in New York City at the United Nations Building on May 12, 2009 and is curated by the acclaimed American painter and United Nations Goodwill Ambassador for Uganda, Ross Bleckner, on behalf of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the International Criminal Court’s Trust Fund for Victims. Proceeds raised by the sale of the paintings will benefit the boys and girls of Uganda.

”This is a unique opportunity for Virgin Islanders to offer support for the children of Uganda. In cooperation with the United Nations and throughout the world, leaders in the arts, entertainment, business, government, and NGO communities are learning about Gulu and the large-scale effort to raise awareness and otherwise provide assistance to the boys and girls who have been impacted by the war in Uganda. It’s a pleasure to host this extraordinary effort in the Territory,” Governor de Jongh said. 

Local chef, restaurant proprietor, and renown artist, Tony Romano, was approached by the United Nations to bring the exhibit to the Virgin Islands and has been a dedicated partner with Government House in raising awareness about the art exhibit and the plight of the Ugandan children, especially those in Gulu. 

As part of the Governor and First Lady’s approach to raising awareness on the plight of the Ugandan children, on Friday, December 11, 2009, students from the public and private schools on St. Thomas will be invited to participate on a tour of the “Welcome to Gulu” exhibition and will have the opportunity to join a lecture discussion about the United Nations project. The tours will run at 9:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m., and 12:00 noon.

Tickets for the December 12th art exhibit at Catharineberg may be purchased by visiting www.romanosrestaurant.com or by calling Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands at 774-6031.

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