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| Monday, February 1st, 2010 | | 12:52 pm |
SPARK CONTEMPORARY ART SPACE
SPARK CONTEMPORARY ART SPACE I wanted to link to a student run gallery and music/ event space that I live above. I've started to become more involved in the gallery...okokok so ive just painted a wall so far! but since last semester was about settling in, this semester I want to help out and become more involved... check it out! and come have a show in Syracuse! sparkartspace.com/ | | 12:37 pm |
| | Monday, December 28th, 2009 | | 12:11 pm |
COCO SOLO XMAS PARTY
 WOW. This year was probably the most intense for me while participating in the Coco Solo party preparation. The constant travel that has become my life, the many changes I have gone through over the past year, made this whole process that much more of an experience. But really I think I noticed how invested I have become in this place, well these people. I have now known Mikey and his boys for over two years and in that time you can really see how teenage boys grow and change. This investment, this amount of caring can be scary because you do not want to see your loved ones suffer. I want to make life a lot easier for Mikey, I would like him to have a break once in a while. I also want the boys to succeed and to finish highschool. The second to youngest is 16 and still at the 4th grade level. This is a lot of work ahead of him, and of Mikey to see these boys through. Everyday he does not have bus fare for them is one day that will keep them closer of the goal of finishing school. We raised a lot of money this year, and came up with excess after the party was said and done. This money will be put in a fund for the boys so that they never have to miss a day of school because of lack of bus fair and that they are always going to school with a full stomach. I know it is hard to put away money in an "emergency" fund, when everyday seems like an emergency, but we shall attempt...and make adjustments as needed. Also I have been getting to know Mikey as more of a rounded person, not just as "Pastor Mikey" and him more about me as well. I think the boys are seeing me too, as more of a complete person. I let them look at photos from a recent university party, I have beers in my hand, makeup on, I am hugging good looking friends and I am at leisure. Life is not always work. I wanted them to see this and see also what can be beyond a Coco Solo life, and that I am like them as well, or we all want some similar things in life. No one is perfect. So to say weve been bonding...and learning from each other. I also want all of you who donated to know how much Mikey appreciates this help. Even though Mikey does not use the internet much, (we do still want to install a computer in the home though) he, through me, expresses his sincere gratitude. He wanted to handmake thankyou cards to everyone who donated, but I imagined the chaos of trying to get all your home addresses and have decided at against that one for my own personal sanity. sorry you can blame me for no physical thank you card. but really we do all appreciate it and I have tried to email most your personally who have donated, but I know I still have a few to get to, and I will! there is another thing I am going to point out. There may look as if there are less people than we had anticipated and well there were. Maybe 300 versus the anticipated 500. There is a reason for this...there is a gang "war" going on between some of the young men in coco solo and they are fighting for a reason that no one seems to remember except that some live on one side and some on the other. Mikey had to ask the other side not to come for fear there could possibly be problems. We later went to the other side and brought them leftover party food and I got a chance to talk to one of the gang leaders and we urged him that he could be the first one to make a step towards reconcilliation. He seemed to listen. Mikey and I would like to arrange a meeting with the members of both sides at a nice restaurant where perhaps both sides could see there is a bigger world out there and what they are fighting for is so minimal in comparison. This is also in the works. Before I show the photos of the party, I also must mention my amazing friend Keenan Lee. He came through for me and Coco Solo like nothing else. Keenan is an American living and working in Panama City. We meet sometime ago and he decided to send an email out to his friends and family (650 gmail contacts to be exact) and ask them for help in the fundraising process. and man they responded!!!! Without you guys we wouldnt have been able to finish the party or be able to start this fund. Really thank you. Keenan also helped with all the party planning and Logsitics, shopping and errands. He drove to Colon and back for multiple days and keep the humor coming at times when I felt like pulling my hair out. Keenan really has a way with those toll booth ladies, you should ask him about it. haha. We also had some Panamanian New York help from Ms. Patricia Roper. She and her entourage provided hotdogs for kids, beautiful cakes and endless toys. The Santa Claus was also from there camp. Together we put a great party on. Ms. Roper thank you so much for your interest in Coco Solo!! We loved having you guys involved. of course Brenda and her sister Cynthia were organizers again, they are truly selfless and involved in many charitable xmas events all over the city. Thanks also to Billie Jo Maxwell for her efforts to raise awareness within the US military expat coco solo community! The party was full of happy kids, huge decorated fancy tree, arroz con pollo, 500 hotdogs, juice, hundreds of toys, party favors, full sound system, full bus from panama, song and dance and a real santa. It was, for sure, a success. oh and please click below for Keenans photos: picasaweb.google.com/keenan.lee/CocoSoloXmasmine are here, pretty amateur compared to keenans, ill post the hopefully more "professional" ones once I get them developed in Syracuse. some were taken by Pocho too... picasaweb.google.com/rosecromwell/CocoSoloParty02#my paypal will remain open to accept donations throughout the year. These will go to the boy's school fund...so please feel free to donate at any time. Thanks you all so much for your donations, big or small, they made such a difference!! Have a great year! love, Rose | | 10:12 am |
| | Monday, December 7th, 2009 | | 12:17 am |
| | Monday, November 16th, 2009 | | 1:29 pm |
Happy Holidays from Coco Solo!
Dear Friends and Family, As many of you may know, perhaps from a similar email I sent out last year, I have been involved with a community in Panama called Coco Solo. Through photographing in Revival Churches in Panama I met a now very good friend of mine, Bishop Brenda Barber. We connected on many levels right away. The second time we talked she took me to meet Pastor Mikey in Coco Solo. And there began my relationship with this community. I have been photographing there for my personal work, teaching English classes, and helped to raise money for last years Xmas party. Through these activities I have made some great friends in the community and have had the privilege to watch some of the kids grow and mature. Following is a description of Coco Solo written by fellow Fulbright Scholar, Larnies Bowen in 2009: "Coco Solo is a former US Naval Air Base that now houses some 200 families who were displaced after the1989 invasion to oust Noriega. Fast forward 20 years later, and many of these families continue to live in these squattor settlements without running water, proper sewage, or trash removal. These families live in those very same buildings the Americans built during the early 20th century. The Panamanian government has promised to move these tenants to more humane living conditions, but residents are still waiting for that and many other empty promises to be fulfilled. Let me introduce you to some of the people we've had the pleasure to get to know over the past six weeks: Michael "Mikey" Brown: A thirty-something Pastor and former rude boy who moved to Coco Solo (from Jamaica) some 15 years ago and hasn't looked back. Known as the "governor" of the small community, Mikey, resolved to do his part to encourage the youth of Coco Solo by adopting five young males. He provides for them on the smallest of budgets, and insists that they put God, education, and family as their top priorities in order to remain under his loving care. Brenda: Founder of "De Mujeres," a women's empowerment group, and Bishop of an Afro Antillano church in Juan Diaz, Brenda was the catalyst who introduced me and Rose to Mikey. Brenda is a warm and charismatic woman who organized a Holiday Party last year to bring some holiday cheer to Coco Solo's youngest and must vulnerable residents. Through door-to-door fundraising, she was able to raise $70 and purchase $1 toys for the children much to their delight. As you can see, a little truly does go a long way here in Panama. Diana: A reluctant resident of Coco Solo, Diana has lived there for the past twenty odd years. She has witnessed the community's downward spiral first-hand. Despite a serious illness, Diana was eager to speak with us so that we may better understand the challenges she and other Coco Solo residents face. Were it not for a health fair organized by Mikey earlier in the year, it remains very likely that would not have gotten her illness diagnosed for access to healthcare is very limited. Naomi, Isela, Augustin, and others: With no after school extracurricular activities, these children roam the trash-strewn streets of Coco Solo barefoot, exposing them to numerous disease-causing agents. During the rainy-season, many of them play around in the large puddles of water in front of their buildings. Unfortunately, due to the area's poor sewage system, this water is oftentimes contaminated with fecal matter and trash." Last year we raised over 800.00 dollars to give the kids of Coco Solo a Christmas Party with toys for 100 kids, food for the the kids and their families and shoes for all. However there are actually about 300 kids who live in Coco Solo and this year we are would very much like to provide presents and food for all the residents. Brenda and her church sisters are going door to door and I turn to the internet to ask for donations internationally. Even 5 dollars counts. This is really how most our money came in last year. Nothing is too little. Five dollars buys a toy and that is one more happy kid. We are also looking to buy a wheelchair for a parapalegic child who has outgrown his present chair. You guys made this party a reality last year and we would be so humbled if you would consider helping us again. The economy is bad and I know many of you are already spending a lot of money on airplane tickets to go home to see your family or just even paying the bills is hard these days, thats why I want to stress that even a little is very appreciated. And well I do not like generic emails asking for money for causes that may seem very removed from where one lives, this community has really changed my life and taught me so much. They are family. Because of this and the great need I see in this community where the majority of people are under 15 years old, I have again returned to write this email. you can see photos from last years xmas party, most taken by Jackie Misla on my blog here: http://rosecromwell.livejournal.com/21955.html also Jackie's husband, another fellow Fulbright Scholar, Eric Soussanin, graciously took the time to make this video to describe what life is like in Coco Solo. you can view the video here: http://vimeo.com/7212201 Last year I asked for donations to be sent to my PayPal account- I will continue with this method this, but hopefully by next year we will have something more official set up through Brenda's community womans' church group "Mujer de Mujer" So, if you chose to donate, and if you dont thanks just for reading about Coco Solo and getting thru this loooong email, go to www.paypal.com Once you set up in account, which takes minutes, you can send me your donations by entering "rosecromwell@hotmail.com" after selecting "send money" there will be a slot from "email" of the person you want to send money I am writing you from GMAIL but my Paypal account is under my HOTMAIL account. its a pretty simple procedure and you can email me with any questions. This party will be taking place December 24th, Christmas Eve. If any of you are in Panama and want to help out in person we would be more than to have you along and would appreciate any extra hand. Happy Holiday you all, thanks for taking the time, with lots of love, Rose Cromwell Thanks to: Brenda Barber (the mastermind) Cynthia Mathias and the rest of the "Mujers" (the people who get it done) Eric Soussanin (beautiful video maker) baseballontheisthmus.blogspot.com/ Jackie Misla (beautiful photography and general loving to all the coco solo kids) Larnies Bowen (countless trips to coco solo, photography and writing) http://mtvufulbright.com/author/larnies/ Mauricio Hoyos (transportation of donated goods, translation work) Suzanne Simburg (teaching english and fishing skills) Nathanial Sullivan (video handiwork!) http://nathanielsullivan.net/ | | Thursday, June 18th, 2009 | | 10:50 pm |
new images
 "Looking North from Coco Solo" Coco Solo, Colon, Panama, 2009  "Untitled 2" Altos del Golf, Panama 2009 from my new Landscape series about the transient spaces in that occur due to the crazed construction boom that is happening here. its otherwise know as "Grass meets Cement" If yall didnt know I am going to be joining the MFA program at Syracuse University this fall! this awesome photographer is the head of faculty- www.dougdubois.com
and I was also impressed by the other faculty I met while visiting in March. I will however be making frequent trips to Panama for heat, sun, surfing, printin and shootin. But if you happen to in upstate new york Ill be based there for the next 3 years. Come visit! My friend Lorena Endara just updated her website with a wonderful new project from mexico- and various other photos... she knows her landscape for sure...check it out www.lorenaendara.com
also my friend and building mate Eve has a great blog on food preparation! She has been traveling for many months and specializes on using local ingredients- also her photographs are beautiful. foodwineloveandrevolution.wordpress.com/
thanks for having me back- promise ill be making more frequent appearances...  | | Saturday, December 27th, 2008 | | 6:04 pm |
Coco Solo News
 For anyone who still checks this blog, maybe there is one of you still out there, I've been a little out of commission as of late. Blog world has just seemed a little irrelevant in my recent life, however I am hoping to make a comeback, dont mark my words but you can expect a little more from me... I am writing this from a beach in Costa Rica. Just a beach, Im not saying which one cause well I am completely in love with it and its lack of people. It is high tourist season down here in Central America and yes there happens to be hardly anyone here...I am staying in a beach front cabana with one of my best and longest friends, Suzi. In the mornings we are surfing and in the evenings we are working on grad school applications, and yes they have wifi. If anyone wants to go hide out and work on writing I totally suggest this scenario. So ok ill stop bragging the real point of this blog is about a much worthier cause than my gradschool apps and my surfing endevours. I sent out an email a week or so ago asking my dear family and friends to donate to my cause to create a xmas party for the children of the Coco Solo community in Colon, Panama. If you didnt receive this email and want to be on my CocoSolo email list, please email at rosecromwell@gmail.com, and PLEASE feel free to forward to anyone who might be interested in CocoSolo and charity. I meant to send it to everyone but was kinda in a rush so this might be the first time you are hearing about Coco Solo, also if you want to be removed from this list please contact me as well. My friend and fellow Panama Fulbrighter Larnies Bowen wrote this little snippet about Coco Solo for those that didn't receive my email: "Coco Solo is a former US Naval Air Base that now houses some 200 families who were displaced after the1989 invasion to oust Noriega. Fast forward 20 years later, and many of these families continue to live in these squattor settlements without running water, proper sewage, or trash removal. These families live in those very same buildings the Americans built during the early 20th century. The Panamanian government has promised to move these tenants to more humane living conditions, but residents are still waiting for that and many other empty promises to be fulfilled. Let me introduce you to some of the people we've had the pleasure to get to know over the past six weeks: Michael "Mikey"; Brown: A thirty-something Pastor and former rude boy who moved to Coco Solo (from Jamaica) some 15 years ago and hasn't looked back. Known as the "governor" of the small community, Mikey, resolved to do his part to encourage the youth of Coco Solo by adopting five young males. He provides for them on the smallest of budgets, and insists that they put God, education, and family as their top priorities in order to remain under his loving care. Brenda: Founder of "De Mujeres"; a women's empowerment group, and Bishop of an Afro Antillano church in Juan Diaz, Brenda was the catalyst who introduced me and Rose to Mikey. Brenda is a warm and charismatic woman who organized a Holiday Party last year to bring some holiday cheer to Coco Solo's youngest and must vulnerable residents. Through door-to-door fundraising, she was able to raise $70 and purchase $1 toys for the children much to their delight. As you can see, a little truly does go a long way here in Panama. Diana: A reluctant resident of Coco Solo, Diana has lived there for the past twenty odd years. She has witnessed the community's downward spiral first-hand. Despite a serious illness, Diana was eager to speak with us so that we may better understand the challenges she and other Coco Solo residents face. Were it not for a health fair organized by Mikey earlier in the year, it remains very likely that would not have gotten her illness diagnosed for access to healthcare is very limited. Naomi, Isela, Augustin, and others: With no after school extracurricular activities, these children roam the trash-strewn streets of Coco Solo barefoot, exposing them to numerous disease-causing agents. During the rainy-season, many of them play around in the large puddles of water in front of their buildings. Unfortunately, due to the area's poor sewage system, this water is oftentimes contaminated with fecal matter and trash." The Xmas party was a huge success, THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH, WITHOUT YOU IT WOULDNT HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE. We were able to raise over 700.00 dollars through PayPal. Mikey and Brenda are gracious and very thankful for your donations. We bought really nice toys for over 150 kids, gifts for 20 teenagers, food to make arroz con pollo for all the kids and their families, and a load of flipflops and shoes for all. Brenda, Mikey, some of their church friends, and Larnies did the shopping in under two days- they worked really hard. The cooking was done by some ladies from CocoSolo and Mikey. They were working extra hard as well. So you can see this was a joint effort between many people and every little bit helped whether it was from the United States or right from CocoSolo. My paypal account will remain open and if any one feels like donating at anytime please feel free. My paypal account is under RoseCromwell@hotmail.com. The next order of business is to buy a used wheelchair for a 7 year old kid that has muscular paralysis. He has outgrown the wheelchair he has been using and needs a new one. He is really getting too big for his petite mother to carry him around. I have so far received 20 dollars in donations for this cause. I am guessing I may need about 200.00 to buy a wheelchair. I am going to do more research about where to get one in Panama when I return from vacation. here is the young boy that is in desperate need of a wheelchair-  In January I will start teaching english classes once a week to kids in CocoSolo as well continuing to take black and white portraits of the residents. So here are the photos of the party...ENJOY and HAPPY NEW YEAR!! these fantastic photos were mainly taken by a friend Jackie Misla. and some by Vladimir a 13 year old aspiring photographer who kidnapped my little digital during the party. thank you Jackie and Vladimir! Ill post some of my personal photos from CocoSolo at a later date...  ( CLICK HERE FOR THE REST OF THE PHOTOS ) | | Monday, July 21st, 2008 | | 12:23 am |
self portrait
 this is what i do for a living at the moment...im printing a retrospective of sandra eleta's work. the mask is for selenium toning. being back in the darkroom has been great...and has inspired me to start shooting more film too. here are some quick digital shots of two of the prints I have made. The are from her series "Portobelo" and we taken in the late seventies (ie tuff to print dirty old negatives, but are beautiful in the end with the graded paper and selenium toning) I have been commissioned to print over 200 20x24 inch prints....should be done next march.   | | Thursday, June 19th, 2008 | | 11:27 am |
| | Wednesday, April 2nd, 2008 | | 8:25 pm |
Rest in Peace, Don Andres
 Don Andres in his living room, Chocola, Guatemala. November 2007. I feel honored to have met such a warm, inspiring person. I will never forget him nor his story. I really encourage you to read Anne's account of his life and death. She has very kindly allowed me to link to her blog. It is very telling about what kind of man he was, as well as what it is like to live and die in rural Guatemala. I will not to summarize and just give you the link: CLICK HERE TO READ ANNE'S WRITING | | Sunday, March 9th, 2008 | | 5:25 am |
| | Wednesday, March 5th, 2008 | | 12:35 am |
| | 12:10 am |
| | Tuesday, March 4th, 2008 | | 10:26 pm |
| | 9:25 pm |
| | Saturday, February 9th, 2008 | | 4:12 am |
IT WAS CARNAVAL...and the state of panama today
 i went to bocas and avoided a lot of the chaos. i like chaos, but for a day i can party then i want a bed, and a beach, and a shower. the trip was fantastic. anyways carnaval in panama. supposively we have the biggest party second to brazil. and every where we have carnavals songs, the most popular dancable songs of the moment are played over and over and over again. but usually they are good so its not too hard to handle. last year was "oye moreno, porque no me gusta??" "hey brown haired girl why dont you like me?" it was a tipico reggaeton mix and really catchy. this years song is a protest song, really, it is a political statement about the conditions of living in panama today, which are getting more and more exspensive and its seems that taxi drivers are always complaining about the price of some food, chicken, milk, rice, rising. this is very true. when gas rises so does everything else. its less affordable here. people for the most part feel disenfranchized by the politicians too. miniumun wage is like a dollar an hour...panama is cheap but it aint that cheap. regardless everyone loves this song cause they can relate..."i work hard for hours and all i make is dirt", "i wait forever a taxi and they never take me cause im black" "im just asking for a vote but damn your mother...."yep "chucha (or xuxa) su madre- basically "its all bullshit" man this song makes taxi drivers happy. it makes a lot of people feel like someone else is feeling everyday frusterations that they do. its a happy dance song really...sometimes i love panamanians and they frusterate me for the same reason. they would rather party than take action...well pass the seco!! in it DJ black also talks about the rise of towers in panama and who is really living in them. here is my picture representing the over-commercialized appeal of panama and the ubiquitous growth in panama today...  | | Thursday, January 31st, 2008 | | 9:15 am |
| | 9:01 am |
DAY 3 "Self Portrait"
 so people have always challenged me to photograph myself in a vulnerable manner, especially after my "Portraits from the Mt. Royal Tavern" series, where you can look into the photographs and see every pore on the mens faces. Well here I am minutes after crying feeling as vulnerable as they come. | | Wednesday, January 30th, 2008 | | 12:16 am |
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