“The Athens of India,” an oil painting by Peter Lopez 

“Varanasi, also known as Benares or ‘the Athens of India,’ is an North Indian city on the banks of the Ganga in Uttar Pradesh, 200 miles south-east of the state capital, Lucknow. It is the holiest of the seven sacred cities (Sapta Puri) in Hinduism and Jainism, and played an important role in the development of Buddhism. Some Hindus believe that death at Varanasi brings salvation. It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Varanasi is also known as the favourite city of the Hindu deity Lord Shiva . It has been mentioned in the Rigveda that this city in older times was known as Kashi .” ~ Wikipedia

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Peter Lopez teaches 10th Grade English and AP Literature at Frederick Douglass Academy II and runs an after-school Oil Painting class, like a pro. His painting class is always a sight to behold. On Fridays, while everybody is hurrying home, you’ll find his classroom buzzing with activity and laughter as the student painters bring out their inner creativity, one brush-stroke at a time.