All right. So this week, I’m going to switch it up a little bit on behalf of a project that is very dear to me: The Memory Project. If you have never heard of this organization, it is a program that allows artists from the U.S. to create portraits of orphans to be hand-delivered to children around the globe, especially in developing nations. It is designed to give these kids something tangible and personal to memorialize their childhood. In high school, the upper two levels of studio art had the option to participate and of course everyone who could jumped at the opportunity. I was fortunate to be a part of this great cause for 2 years, but once I came to Penn State I was hit with the hard realization that I wouldn’t be able to continue my involvement with the project… Until I had an idea… Even after only a few weeks of school, I had already met a handful girls who were extremely talented artists with a positive global perspective. I asked them if they would want to participate (they all agreed) and was able to order 5 photos from the founder Ben Schumaker. Here are the results:
Andrea, Haley, me, Caroline
…and May!
2012
I have drawn portraits of kids in Peru, Honduras, and most recently Rwanda, but the reaction is always the same. The most rewarding part of this experience is receiving photos back of the children, always ecstatic, holding your portrait. The feeling you get from seeing your kid’s smiling expression is indescribable. If you ever want to get involved with this awesome program, visit: www.memoryproject.org
2011