Drawn to inspiration

Photo By Sgt. Michael Baltz | Army Capt. Jose Izquierdo, Joint Task Force Guantanamo's officer-in-charge of detainee programs, receives an update from Adam, the art instructor, on the art work produced by the detainees, Aug. 4. The art program provides intellectual stimulation for the detainees, and allows them to express their creativity. JTF Guantanamo conducts safe, humane, legal and transparent care and custody of detainees, including those convicted by military commission and those ordered released by a court. The JTF conducts intelligence collection, analysis and dissemination for the protection of detainees and personnel working in JTF Guantanamo facilities and in support of the War on Terror. JTF Guantanamo provides support to the Office of Military Commissions, to law enforcement and to war crimes investigations. The JTF conducts planning for and, on order, responds to Caribbean mass migration operations.  

GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA

08.03.2009

Story by Sgt. Michael Baltz 

Joint Task Force Guantanamo Public Affairs

GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba — Detainee programs at Joint Task Force Guantanamo provide art classes for detainees on a weekly basis as a part of successfully conducting safe, humane, legal and transparent care and custody.

"The main mission is to provide a mental [outlet] and recreation through art classes," said Army Capt. Jose Izquierdo, detainee programs officer-in-charge. "There are detainees who have been here for seven years, so for the safety of our service members and to keep the detainees mentally busy, we provide programs for the detainees."

The art classes provides mental stimulation for the detainees which draws them away from thinking about ways to disobey camp rules, guards and interrogators and gives them something to look forward to.

Adam, the art instructor, has been teaching for more than 40 years. He has been teaching the detainees for the past eight weeks.

"He is a great art instructor," Izquierdo said. "The first thing to be a great teacher is the chemistry between the teacher and student. He has great chemistry with the students. Prior to his arrival, attendance in the art classes were zero, and now it is [more than 50] students a week."

Izquierdo is well-qualified to analyze Adam's performance.

"What I do here, with the programs and the classes is very close to what I do in my civilian life. I am an elementary school principal," Izquierdo explained. "The instructors provide me with a weekly report on how many are enrolled and how many attended."

Adam also has experience in classrooms.

"I have taught in elementary schools and in colleges in Iraq and in the United States," Adam said.

However, teaching at Guantanamo has been a little different for Adam.

"Before I got here I heard all the bad things, all negative things about [Guantanamo], but I decided to work here as a challenge," Adam said. "I felt I could do something different here. I have worked with kids and adults, so I felt maybe my way of arts, or painting, could do well in a special case with detainees.

"I feel when we make a painting, we change our theme or mood," Adam continued. "I now see everything is different since I have been here. Everything is organized and everything with the detainees is very good."

There are indicators of Adam's art class being successful.

"I give them the feeling I am a friend, not just an art teacher," he said. "Being part of the culture and teaching Arabic writing also helps in making them [comfortable] with me."

Adam is also sure to keep them occupied during classes.

"When they start my class, they are busy the whole time. When the class is over they ask, 'How is this two hours? It has not been two hours.' I tell them it has been more than two hours, since I arrived 20 minutes early," Adam said. "This is how I know they like my class. I don't have to convince them to come, because now they believe. Every week I have new students. When I started teaching I had two classes, and now I have seven classes."

An aspect to the detainees is preparing for the future, according to Adam.

"They look for the future," Adam said. "If you are good with me, and are good at painting, maybe somebody takes this as a job when they go back home. They need something to start a life. When they say 'I am an artist,' people will respect them. And if they cannot get a job as an artist, at least they will be able to teach their children."

Adam explained that several detainees have negative thoughts, but his effort with art is helping to change that.

"This is very good for their psychology," Adam said. "I am not just giving them practice; I also talk about why art is important. We change our life if we do something beautiful. I tell them that when they start to paint they will see things more beautifully."

Adam even assigns homework and when detainees return to class, he is amazed at the work from the detainees.

"This isn't only education; this is culture," he said. "It is a shame for people not to know about da Vinci or Michelangelo, who spent five years on paintings, and they are amazed and honored when I tell them."

One of the goals for the detainee art program may be a surprise to some.

"One of my goals is to have an exhibit of the detainee art," Izquierdo said enthusiastically. "I would like to present it in the camp in hopes that it will motivate other detainees to attend the class."

The art classes are only one example of how JTF Guantanamo continues to provide to detainees intellectual stimulation, social recreation and instructional training.

Editor's Note: Civilians' names have been omitted to ensure operational security and the safety of the personnel that work in the camps.

For more information about Joint Task Force Guantanamo, visit the Web site at www.jtfgtmo.southcom.mil.

• Date Taken: 08.03.2009
• Date Posted: 08.14.2009 10:42
• Story ID: 37491
• Location: GUANTANAMO BAY, CU