Welcome!

We are Cora and José.  We create art that highlights the diversity, challenges, and shared humanity of peoples across the globe.  We call this project Art We There Yet and have created works together in China, Nepal, India, and Nicaragua.  Now we want to take the project to North, Central, and South America!  

The Bus Project

Let's dive right into the heart of the bus project.  We are currently converting a used school bus into an art and recording studio on wheels, which we will then drive from the USA to Argentina.  Check out the updates tab for the latest on the conversion!

The Impact

Art is powerful.  We will use art and music to boldly illustrate that diversity is our greatest strength. This message is important today, when many are losing sight of our shared humanity and the value of diversity in society.  Also, we believe everyone deserves access to public art and arts education.  So we will provide free arts education and public art in places that need it the most.

How to Help Fund the Project

We are passionate about this project, and it is something we cannot do alone.  Our biggest hurdle right now is covering the operating costs of the project.

1 - Purchase our art and music here on Indiegogo

Shipping in the USA is free!

Note on prints and paintings.  Please note the photo prints and original paintings are unframed and will ship to you rolled.  Paintings will need to be mounted on stretcher bars, which is a service offered by framing providers.  How to choose your photo(s): click here to see 36 photograph options and to submit your photo choice.  

Click here to see large, high definition images of the José Luis Vílchez Original Paintings for sale.

2 - Become a Sponsor

Directly support a workshop or mural in an underserved community.  We currently need sponsors for:

• 18 murals (8 sponsored, 10 still need sponsors)
• 36 art and music workshops (1 sponsored, 35 still need sponsors)

3 - Other Ways You Can Help

Share this project with friends, family, and your social networks!  We cannot express how helpful this is.  You can also consider becoming an ongoing patron of the project on Patreon.

How else are we covering the costs?  Applying to grants, sponsorships, and working jobs on the side.  We are hard at it!

José Luis Vílchez is a fine art painter, photographer, and musician from Nicaragua and the USA.  He is a graduate of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, one of most prestigious art schools in the world, and he has traveled to over 70 countries.  He co-founded the Lido Art Center in Guangzhou, China where he also conducted portfolio reviews to help students gain acceptance to the world's top art schools.  His work has been shown in galleries in the USA, China, India, Nicaragua, and Romania.  Here is his website. 

Cora Rose is a singer-songwriter and record producer from the USA.  She began songwriting at 7, performing at 12, and released her first album at 15.  She has written with Dave Brainard, Michael Peterson, Roy Rivers, and Jill King, and she has had placements in TV and film, including NBC's Parks and Recreation and the acclaimed documentary, Taming Wild.  She developed a songwriting and recording workshop program, which she has conducted in public K-12 schools throughout the USA.  Here is her website.

Work We Have Already Done

It takes a lot of trust to support a large project like this.  Here is some of the work we have already done, to show we are committed to this project and can pull it off.

Risks & Challenges

Risks of the Road.  This is a massive project we are gearing up to do.  We are 100% confident we can pull it off, because of our experience.  Between us, we have traveled to over 72 countries and we have over 7 years of combined experience funding our travels with art.  We have never traveled with wealth and know how to make ends meet with very little.  We know what it is to be flexible, to navigate difficult border crossings, to deal with corrupt officials.  We know what it is to find opportunities in new communities, to pick up new language (we are Spanish/English bilingual), and to integrate into local life.  We were made for this trip.