Explore a unique art school in the Dominican Republic

At Ani Art Academy in the Dominican Republic, students have an experience unlike any other. Many of the aspiring artists come from impoverished areas, so the non-profit changes lives in addition to teaching about art. CBS News' Meg Oliver reports.
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[@breal7277]

Some billionaire folks have learned that money is to be shared not to be hoarded. How blessed they are! 🕊

[@bihsaidwhatnow2392]

Especially when many of their billions are off the backs of those indigenous to the soil they take and make their riches from.

[@mariaisabelaguiar-limone5459]

THAT IS HOW WE DEVELOP A COUNTRY !!!! Thank you for sharing this valuable information Dominican 🇩🇴 Republic needs EDUCATION ❤️ AT ALL LEVELS !! EDUCATION IS RESERVED TO THE FEW IN THIRD WORLD COUNTRIES 🌎LONG LIFE TO THOSE HEROES ✨️ ❤️

[@jdos5643]

Art is what enriches what brings wealth but sadly artist sometimes get regarded as peasants or starving or nobodies.

[@user-bh9vf2zu1r]

Who's we?

[@bvaradinov]

I’m a Fine Art teacher… I praise the people who are behind that project. Good luck, guys!

[@kozzietea]

AI art will never replace the power of human creativity and the need to have art made by people, about people, and for people.

[@anacristinadominguez-olber6345]

I am Dominican , did not know about this school . God bless them . Thank you

[@ButterFingas]

ok? lol im sure there are many things you don't know about your country

[@savi8966]

​@@ButterFingas i can just tell you get bothered easily

[@bhornannawindeedeigh5007]

​@@ButterFingas Wow. I'll bet nothing slips through your fingers. Not. 😐

[@zoecunningham3019]

Magnificent opportunity. An extremely generous man clears pathways that normally have led to a dead-end street. 🤞use gift wisely

[@TurkishVirgo]

To know people out here exist with enough wealth to bless others is truly remarkable, I aspire to be as successful so I can give back to those who are less fortunate than I am one day. Such a beautiful story.

[@eoagr1780]

There are plenty of wealthy people around the globe who cloud give communities a lot. Many of them don’t have empathy or/and know how to provide help. (Just giving money leads to corrupt third parties getting involve).

[@mindandbody9427]

Tim Reynolds and his staff are an example to be held in high regard as an ideal for humanity to be inspired by and aspire to be like.

[@auntyshakira747]

This is magnificent. Beautiful man to start such a school and giving the underprivileged a chance to learn Art. ❤

[@isabelfuentes6756]

Thanks so much for this report because it highlights and portrays the good intentions of the people involve and also the image of the Dominican Republic. ❤

[@tucocinatvymas8598]

Wowww this is great!! Never heard of this in DR. This is awesome!!

[@AJWaichulisAAAW]

Thank you so much for your wonderful coverage of this story.

[@raquelcuello5683]

Wow. This art is school is amazing and much needed.❤

[@marleneg9729]

God bless you 🙏. It's a beautiful way to give back to so many people who have no one to turn to. You answered their prayers 🙏

[@bihsaidwhatnow2392]

Beautiful! This is a righteous way to give back when you take. 💖

[@ingridcoke1360]

This moved me to tears. Art, a path to transformation and empowerment. Thank you Tim Reynolds and the dedicated Dream Team.🙏🏽💖🙏🏽💖🙏🏽

[@eliani1326]

Thank you CBS for such an inspirational and thoughtful video. I'm going to visit DR and I'm definetly going to see if I can get my hands on some art pieces. ❤❤

[@patriciaalonzodiaz5180]

Great💚 Would be awesome.

[@michelledixon3977]

Me encanta y comparto la idea de que lo que más molesta, es la falta de oportunidades para personas que no tienen los medios, pero si el talento. Bravo!!

[@listenup2882]

Saint Lucia needs one of these schools.🇱🇨

[@gavonius]

wish they had these through out the caribbean more

[@miahill6864]

Fantastic man. Instead of focusing on his tragedy, he build a new life for himself providing new lives for others. The art teacher made me cry when he saw himself in the students. All forms of art should be taught in public schools so people have an emotional outlet. I believe will be less violence.

[@Fan-Nimater101]

As a beginner cartoonist and an art student in online art school this brings joy to my face:) and I’m very talented

[@leviticus5363]

I wish there were art schools like this in the USA, 🇺🇸 like in my city of Philadelphia. I wish I could be part of an art school like this one.

[@vdsilva6806]

Powerful. We are all artists. We just need people like them to encourage us.

[@c.athompson9280]

Please come to Trinidad and Tobago.

[@tavroaar8173]

Beautiful! Love the Dominican Republic ❤️

[@nothingiseverperfect]

Absolutely amazing for the students to learn such an amazing skill. Glad to see art get the respect. But can we addresss his answer at 4:24 when he says? 😂😂 “Are you upset at income inequality? No not that much. But I’m really upset about opportunity inequality.” 😂😂Maaaaan wait until you learn how one affects the other! It’s great he’s doing philanthropy and providing for poorer nations, but never forget the Rich’s inability to say why nations are poor!

[@cokemango]

I believe he meant opportunities that are provided by say the state.

[@etiger675]

Amazing! I always thought you just had to be born with the talent

[@bvaradinov]

Everyone is born with the ability to develop a talent. The talent in Fine Art doesn’t come naturally, it’s a hard work and persistence.

[@AJWaichulisAAAW]

@@bvaradinov beautifully stated my friend. 🙏🏻

[@blueresolve2954]

To be sincere, to an extent, yes. But no one really knows that extent.

[@Nothing-vl3ip]

This is a breath of fresh air in an age of AI art

[@hildamaine8319]

Bravo! Angels are changing lives for the better.

[@trinidadinternational]

I would definitely be this kind of philanthropist if I had the funds. Beautiful!

[@shanabenjamin8945]

What an amazing man! Such a blessing!❤

[@dumbphonemom]

As a Dominican, I hope they’re also teaching them how to market their skills and make their art into a career without depending on the art gallery so that they can be financially independent. Not only the wealthy but art; art is in everything we use!

[@graceandmarvellouswonders6249]

Very very very inspiring! Thank you for being that kind of persons, your not just changing that country, but the world for the better✌🏾N much ❤

[@lidiaaquino8136]

Here in the D.R. we have talent, passion and a beautiful place to paint! 🎨❤

[@FelyCitylegacyacademy]

Wao congratulations sir! We need one in Africa please . God bless you

[@user-uh6bc1te6v]

This is beautiful. Well Done Dom Republic!!! ❤💛💚

[@user-wx6gb4mw6m]

Lots what my town and other near to us got offer in Dominican Rep.

[@lomagittens4740]

Beautiful

[@DalizaMari3335]

Awesome!!!

[@nanadrawslot]

It is very good initiative. I pray they add functional art since aesthetics isn’t go to get them far. Learning digital arts , animation , product design and so on

[@sarahashun1180]

What a wonderful positive story!

[@djjackson-pickett7558]

Very warming to learn about, this is great!

[@Hazardz09]

Wow this is amazing

[@lisabaez8202]

Would love to volunteer here in the summer. I am fully bilingual and teach art to little ones

[@RiverReyes]

❤❤❤ so happy for my country 🇩🇴 positives news

[@batissta44]

awesome. god bless them

[@bethdiaz3387]

Thank you ❤

[@JohnTravena]

Admire the opportunities this man has created in creating this school but don’t you think maybe income inequality can’t be separated from opportunity inequality?

[@p5rsona]

damn, wish we had this type of school everywhere...

[@nlp6082]

Beautiful ❤

[@bilqis3]

I'm happy to come across this good news story. I would like to get more context about the patron's distinction between income inequality and opportunity inequality. In my opinion, they are often correlated. Also, I'm concerned by the paternalistic tone of the art teacher who referred to the adult students as "boys and girls." I hope he actually sees and treats them as equals.

[@Nick-ql2qj]

Yeah that statement was a little bizarre to say the least

[@DominMarfa]

Amazing + Inspiring

[@annetteannette3808]

AMAZING.

[@strwbrr8308]

wish they do one in my country

[@deeh9563]

I ❤ this so much!!!! I hope that other resorts in other parts of the world decide to do something like this to give back to the communities in which they operate. They can spare the profits and this would make such a huge difference in the lives of real people.

[@zaidagrace2263]

Wholesome & inspiring

[@user-hx5dm3sl6q]

God bless him for doing what he’s doing in my country ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@MACH_SDQ]

Now the next stop ASAP is Instituto Tecnico Superior Comunitario (ITSC) here in Dominican Republic !!!! We are waiting for you !!!! No Cap.

[@bobleveille4316]

Incredible story!

[@yania2779]

Wooooooww Im so happy ❤🎉

[@Amariiiiie]

This is so amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@geriannroth449]

Omg this really made my day

[@aleco444]

❤❤❤❤❤this!!!!😊

[@salimsadicky]

True TANZANIA you will find drawing artist mostly are multtalented with more things to offer.

[@thestudentat101]

✨️Brilliant✨️

[@KSR._Love]

❤

[@simonsilvacreativitycrusader]

Unfortunately, most of this is just ability. They need to teach the long term benefits the Arts provide when the arts are understood and taught correctly. The arts are still looked at as an elective but they really should be looked at as enhancing the full human potential. 🙏🏾

[@TinyDancer888]

Lovely

[@Nicksolo2369]

I'm so glad to see a positive report about Latin America. Unfortunately, it's usually a negative report, and that's why the rest of the world has a negative idea of our region.

[@guerlineart]

the world need more art! This is beautiful ❤️🫶🏾

[@mihiec]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤🎉😮

[@jennifervallecillo2133]

😱❤😱

[@oceanwoods]

Opportunity inequality is because of economic inequality

[@debbiecooper1677]

omg the are wonderful. crap the only thing I can draw is flys

[@hoseki4031]

Good artist copy, great artist steal - AI (art of war)

[@sparklefairy34]

Wait, he said that he’s NOT upset about income inequality?! WTH 🤦🏽‍♀️ it’s nice that he opened up 6 schools around the globe but he could still do more. A lot more. I’m not fooled by this man. I know where his mind is at.

[@bqb9591]

Awww Look these White man move to another country and help teach these poor people how to do art.😢 Love this and also how they move to different countries for a few years and come back and tell us all about the countries history and culture, how to cook authentic food from whichever region, etc.😅

[@simplebean8152]

Why is my bro crying about learning how to talk to rich people? Plzz.

[@Zero11_ss]

People paying 5k for an art piece where people make those low wages are just dumb and letting themselves get ripped off. These wealthy people from the US also loveeee helping everyone who isnt an american - but they'll lose their mind if you suggest their American employees wages should be a little higher.

[@christophercox936]

Hater. And you’re wrong minimum wage is 15 an hour which is 30k per year. That’s a hell of a lot more than one of these painting, not to mention health insurance they are paying.

[@weston.weston]

Ahhh yes, I should have known the dean and benefactor are wealthy and white. I expect the bots and individuals to add trite comments in response to what I have written here.

[@putnamcountycrimeanalysiswandr]

Like anyone cares what you think. lol.

[@weston.weston]

@@putnamcountycrimeanalysiswandr Yet, you're commenting on my statement.

[@autofocus4556]

What’s your point? 😂

[@Melbunni]

I smell a wolf in sheep's clothing. I've been a trained artist for almost a decade, with a degree in traditional fine art and another in visual development for animation. This video is full of red flags. The only skill being taught is to copy photos in grayscale. Some might consider that plagiarism.. unless the students are also being taught photography. The gradients that they seem to be repeating like zombies are strangely high contrast and.. isn't it strange that every one in the video is drawing a 99% finished drawing? Is someone really paying $5000 for a photo reproduction? It would be great if these ppl were really helping these young artists develop their talents and provide for themselves..but I have a not so good feeling about the sympathetic story these people are peddling. "Opportunity equality" indeed. The opportunity to profit in altruistic clout from the ignorance of others can't be overlooked

[@attempt5074]

It's literally free art lessons, why make it more complicated than that?

[@marryellenmonahan5585]

Lost is art all because of greed.😮

[@Gods_Child_777_]

My fav part of the vid and the school is the food lol amongst so many other good things that right there is priceless no other school cooking like that 😀😄😁🥰😍

[@rock_ok]

machine will surpass us all

[@aitchtea]

as a lifelong art educator and champion for the underprivileged, i applaud the efforts of this school. however, it does appear that the academy’s approach is grounded in centuries old white male european conventions. traits many consider prominent into today’s art world such as originality, individual creativity and authenticity used to address the artist’s place in the world are all completely absent. most of the work seems based on photographs which were not created by the artist. very tired thinking.

[@AJWaichulisAAAW]

This would be a fair critique if it weren't mired in incorrect assumptions and a problematic understanding of effective educational practices in this arena. The Academies curriculum intentionally avoids the traditional aesthetic leanings (rooted in classical antiquity) that permeate many skill-based programs today with good reason. Intentional aesthetic deficits are purposefully woven into the ÀNI curriculum so that while artists engage in a rational sequencing of exercises designed to grow demonstrable visual literacy and communication skills (e.g., visual-spatial skills, visual analysis skills, visual integration skills, fine motor control, automaticity, strategic planning, information synthesis, and procedural fluency), they do so with their own chosen aesthetic and cultural ideals in the driver's seat. And yes, students work from myriad visual information sources- photographic, "live" percept, conceptual models, etc. They learn to utilize many imaging technologies relevant today to achieve their goals successfully. Limiting their toolset when the modern art world avails itself of much technology would be silly. (And yes, with rare exceptions, the photographic and digital references used in creating their creative works are indeed their own.) Another common argument that may be made is that originality is lacking in this particular classroom dynamic (e.g., your noted absence of originality, individual creativity, and authenticity)---but as an art educator, you should realize that this critique would also be incredibly problematic as creativity is only known or perceived through the convention. Imagine promoting originality and authenticity first and foremost when young students are first learning the alphabet or a basic numbering system. How ridiculous would that be? Do you think you would be promoting the individual's creative potential? How much creativity can poets express without the conventions of a language? How effective is an authentic, original language if it is created by, and known only to, the artist (see Wittgenstein.) I would think a "lifelong art educator" would know better.

[@christophercox936]

It’s not a white foundation it’s about learning art. Art no matter the style is for everyone. Would you say Tiger Woods not practice “white” golf because it’s not his culture. Jessye Norman (a famous opera singer) not practice opera because she’s not Italian, that’s absurd. Should Larry Bird not have learned basketball from black Americans because it’s not his culture, please. Being good at something is for all cultures and people. Keep the prejudice out of it.

[@ButterFingas]

"Im an artist" "as a Dominican" "as a person who has watched a video before" please shut up and think of a creative comment. You're commenting under video of artists, at least attempt to set yourself apart from the herd.

[@R0undbrush]

Teaching them to become printers not artists. "opportunity inequality" wtf...... lmao. What a strange video

[@Sl20]

Teaching is the only way to pay back to Mother Nature ,for given you all that beautiful places around the glove!!!!!or Mother Earth!!!!🔴🫢🤫

[@Sl20]

Great place where you can open and explore your mind !!!!!!🔴🫢🤫

[@Sl20]

One of the few times where the word Art it has a lot of meaning!!!!!just beautiful!!!!!🔴🫢🤫 0:24

[@pprehn5268]

What a fine way to overcome disabilities to expand other people's abilities.🧩🪅⚛♾

[@user-os8uy5lu3r]

Thank you so much for your wonderful coverage of this story.

[@seenuz1]

Awesome!!!

[@muffincarrol1671]

Beautiful

[@billyjam4012]

❤