The Power of Hope: More Art = Less Violence -

The Hubbell/Ilan-Lael/Colegio ConnectionArt, music, movement, and architecture have changed the way a community sees itself. Christine Brady, James Hubbell, and a merry band of volunteers prove it so!

By Marianne Gerdes

The Colegio La Esperanza campus in Tijuana buzzes with activity on a sunny Saturday morning. Brassy trumpets, vibrant violins, and strumming guitars fill the air with music. Dance studios thrum to the beat of ballet folklorico and jazz instruction. Volleyballs arc and bounce, each game’s pops punctuated by the cheers of boys and girls playing on the school’s small athletic field. At this colegio (school), art, music, movement, and architecture have changed the way a community sees itself

Here on a hilltop overlooking the city’s hopeful but desperate sprawl, more than 100 teens ages 12 to 17 show up on Saturdays to participate in a program called More Art = Less Violence. Started by Christine Brady, who founded the Colegio schools, the program is now in its third year. Instruction in art, dance, music, and physical education— free of charge to teens—helps build new skills, grow confidence, and offers a way for young people to develop their artistic and athletic potential.

The neighborhoods of Colegio La Esperanza are economically, educationally, and culturally challenged. Public schools do not offer arts or physical education in their curriculum. Many young people drop out early or are lured onto the streets for lack of opportunity.

“We did a census of what happened to the young people who grew up around us but did not attend the La Esperanza schools,” said Christine Brady when this writer visited recently. “And for the boys, it was horrific. Nineteen out of 20—that’s 95 percent— had either been incarcerated, assassinated, become drug addicts, were running from the law, or had committed suicide. We compared that to our students who somehow find their way. They make families, they get a job, they’re productive members of society. What’s the difference? The difference is arts education.”

The Hubbell/Ilan-Lael/Colegio Connection

Brady has invested decades of her life bringing art and culture to an overlooked corner of Tijuana. When she began 37 years ago, the settlers who lived there did not have a legal right to own their property and were manipulated by some less-than-honorable land bosses. Shacks had no water or electricity. Conflict and hostility were rampant. Brady began looking for a way to help transcend class barriers and bring positive attention to the area’s 8,000 residents who technically weren’t even on the city map.

Music was suggested, which morphed into architecture. Christine remembers, “That’s when we decided to make a kindergarten the most beautiful school building in the world. We began the search for an artist-architect. And after 12 architects, we found James Hubbell.”

James and Ilan-Lael Foundation brought hundreds of volunteers dedicated to bringing art to public spaces in a program that spanned 30 years. “We were very lucky,” says Brady. “And once the building was built and it was so beautiful, it brought peace to the community. The neighbors stopped fighting.” And soon, they wanted the team of Brady and Hubbell to continue with an elementary school in the same style. “‘Build us some more’ they said. They didn’t have any electricity or water, but they were all architecture critics,” quipped Christine, with a wry smile.

All these years later, thousands of students have attended her school for the arts. Parents who can afford it are asked to contribute a portion of the tuition. The rest is covered by donors and supporters and many students
are on full scholarships. Brady struggles to keep the school financially afloat, yet she shows up each and every day, the living embodiment of hope for many. “People ask me what my business plan is, and I tell them
I hope for a miracle every Friday (payday).
But seriously, you see the progress that they make and how beautiful it is that they make progress toward a successful life. And you say, well, this is really making a difference.
It’s hard not to continue.”

James once said, “If you make a school look boring, you are telling students that school is boring. If you make it beautiful, then you are saying school is important.” Colegio La Esperanza, the school of hope, continues to deliver on its promise by nurturing creativity and unlocking the potential of all within its influence.

Hope May Be In Your Closet Right Now

James Hubbell and Christine Brady. Photo by Laurie Dietter

To start More Art = Less Violence, Christine Brady put out a call to supporters of her Americas Foundation asking them to donate instruments — or the money to purchase them. She scoured the internet to find the absolute cheapest prices for decent quality instruments. She is still searching for a few more saxophones. And the largest instruments— tubas, euphoniums, trombones, a double bass—are still needed. Even used, these big instruments cost hundreds of dollars. If you happen to have one gathering dust in your home, Brady will gladly take it off your hands.

“I would say the program is costing us about $30,000 a year and we are not paying for a lot of things that we should be paying for. We purchase supplies and instruments. My time is free, and some of our instructors are donating their time for free. We don’t pay for using the school, and we don’t contribute anything to the utility bills or to the taxes.”

You can support the work of the Americas Foundation and the More Art = Less Violence programs of free music, dance, and volleyball programs for teens by visiting TheAmericasFoundation.org