Burlington High School Students Will Hear From Filipino Immigrant

BURLINGTON, MA - From Burlington Education Foundation: In the first “Artist Talk” series held at Burlington High School this academic year, the community will welcome artist Bren Bataclan, a Filipino immigrant who will share his message of spreading kindness, his motivation behind his work, and his journey as a child immigrating from the Philippines.

Thanks to grant funding from the Burlington Education Foundation, Bataclan’s visit will kick off on Wednesday, Sept. 26 at BHS, and his artwork will be on display at the school’s Cambridge Street Gallery.

Bataclan, known for giving away his paintings and asking people to, “smile at random people more often,” has a message that aligns perfectly with Burlington High’s “BSmart Programming” message this year, which reads, “Your voice, your choice, choose to be nice,” school officials said.

Following Bataclan’s talk, the BHS Multicultural Club and Students for Asian Cultural Awareness Club will host a workshop, open to all students.

Christina Chang, an art teacher at BHS, said Bataclan’s visit to the school is significant because, “As an Asian-American artist, Bren can share his story of immigrating to the U.S. as a child and what that experience was like.”

“Bren is a well-known artist who has a great message to share. It is important to expose the students to a variety of professionals including artists from diverse backgrounds,” she said.

Deborah Deacon, assistant principal, said, “We are always trying to bring more awareness, compassion and inclusiveness to all students at BHS through day to day interactions as well as programming through the BSmart Program. Bren's message of spreading positivity and kindness promotes our efforts in supporting a school culture that reinforces a safe, positive, respectful, and kind school building and atmosphere.”

Bataclan, who was 12 years old when his family moved from the Philippines to San Francisco, is famous for giving away nearly 3,000 paintings in 70 countries while spreading his message of kindness. His paintings, school officials said, have reached people from all over the world, including individuals in Uganda, Wales, Austria, and Aruba.

Chang said, “At the core of Bren's art is kindness. He enjoys sharing his art. Kindness is a core element in many school curriculums.”

Deacon explained the “BSmart Program” began during the 2013-2014 school year, with a focus on continued education and student safety, and said she and Amy Doughty, a teacher at the school, plan speakers, workshops, and presentations “around the current issues that impact our students.”

“We watch the trends and bring in speakers to address the issues that face our young students today. There are class assemblies for all grades and we continue that work annually thanks to the generous grants from the BEF as well as our planned budget,” she said.

Deacon said, “Happier students and staff make for more productive students and staff and a respectful, kind climate in which to work and learn is our ultimate goal. Supporting each other by caring for and about each other makes school a place students and staff want to come to. We want them running into the building and being excited to learn. When students are comfortable, safe, and proud of their school, they can't wait to be there.”

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