Kenyan Scholar-in-Residence Nicholas Sironka's
vibrant artwork and Maasai heritage were sources
of delight and wonder to his students and
colleagues at Whitworth College in Spokane,
Washington. Heads never ceased to turn when
the 6-foot-5-inch artist strode across campus,
sometimes dressed in the colorful attire of
a Maasai warrior.
His luminous, color-saturated batiks, which
reflect Maasai values and traditions, also
fascinated the Americans who saw them, and
were wonderful talking points for explaining
Masaai and African culture.
Sironka, a well-known artist whose work
has been shown throughout Africa, and his
wife, Seleina, who is an artist in her own
right specializing in Maasai beadwork, spent
an academic year at Whitworth. He taught
batik art and Maasai culture, in addition
to creating and exhibiting his artwork in
the college's Koehler Gallery and in other
galleries around the city.
"It was a wonderful year for us,"
he states. "The students, the faculty,
the administration-everyone-made us feel
welcome. I was especially impressed with
the students who not only proved to be industrious
and respectful, but have made me see American
students from a different perspective."
Outgoing and generous with their time,
the couple had a significant impact on the
wider Spokane community. They lectured and
gave slide presentation workshops to over
20 elementary and secondary schools and
colleges, and he conducted several master
classes in batik as well. In addition, they
made presentations at James Madison University
and Eastern Mennonite University in Virginia.
Their involvement with other institutions
in Spokane led to a proposal by the Spokane
Falls Community College that Sironka make
arrangements to bring a Maasai dancer to
their annual March celebration of "African
roots." The event was an instant sell-out
and a number of other schools and groups
requested that the dancer and Sironka visit
them, too.
"The performance was very well received,"
he states. "Many of the students and
children had only heard of the Maasai in
tourist advertisements. It turned out to
be a wonderful experience for them."
Nicholas Sironka's impact did not end when
he left Spokane. He initiated a student
study tour to Kenya, and in January 2002,
a group of faculty and students from Whitworth
College visited various parts of his country.
"Hopefully this will translate into
many other exchanges in the future. I am
seeking to establish relations between Whitworth
College and Kenyan universities and colleges,"
he says.
In addition, he has undertaken the establishment
of a scholarship fund, housed at Whitworth,
to sponsor an outstanding Maasai high school
girl or boy to go to Daystar University
in Kenya, and
during the duration of his/her studies,
come to Whitworth for a period of time to
expose the Maasai student to American culture.
A student from Whitworth would go to Daystar
at the same time.
"As a Maasai, I have always wanted
to give back' to my people, and at the same
time, enhance life for the Maasai,"
Sironka explains. "Nothing seemed more
appropriate than the establishment of a
scholarship fund."
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