The Memory Project is a non-profit organization based out of Wisconsin that encourages art teachers and their students to create portraits for youth around the world who have faced hardships, such as neglect, abuse, loss of parents, violence, and extreme poverty.
Their mission is to help children feel valued by providing them with meaningful pieces of personal history and a work of art. Mrs. Frid came across this organization earlier on in her career. Over the years, her Portola High School and Quincy High School students became involved in creating portraits for children in Vietnam, Ecuador, and Jamaica. Every year, the students pick their country and then the Memory Project mails them photos of kids from that country.
Students can use any …show more content…
Advanced art students, having the foundational skills, are able and willing to do the project and according to Frid, “always enjoy the process and joyfully anticipate the outcome.” It is a valuable experience for both the kids receiving the portraits and the high schoolers participating. The students learn about the cultures the kids are from and take time to reflect during the process. They have an opportunity to explore the power of art and use it altruistically to hopefully make a child feel special, seen, and known while becoming more aware of the hardships kids face around the world. As Mrs. Frid shared, “This project creates a connection with American artists and the kids around the world who receive the art; the work is a reflection of each beautiful soul involved, and it will hopefully give the kids hope for a brighter future, inspire them to become an artist or encourage them to start creating as a means to overcome …show more content…
All students relayed that they enjoyed the process and hope the portraits fill the kids’ lives with joy and happiness. Kurochka shared that she hopes to get in touch with the girl she drew when she returns home and help her as much as she can. She shared, “The girl I drew is very beautiful and I really want her to know that, and love herself.”
It is projects like this that connect the classroom to the greater world, that have a lifelong impact on students. As Mrs. Frid shared, “This project is very authentic and enriching as it involves service learning. Students get to practice their portrait drawing skills while working to help others. They will never forget this opportunity and experience they had in art class.”
More info on the organization can be found at www.memoryproject.org. Anyone can participate, with just a small fee of $15 per portrait for shipping and handling. Sometimes Mrs. Frid pays out of pocket and in the past Boosters has helped. If anyone would like to donate to help students do this next year checks can be mailed to QHS or PHS
Their mission is to help children feel valued by providing them with meaningful pieces of personal history and a work of art. Mrs. Frid came across this organization earlier on in her career. Over the years, her Portola High School and Quincy High School students became involved in creating portraits for children in Vietnam, Ecuador, and Jamaica. Every year, the students pick their country and then the Memory Project mails them photos of kids from that country.
Students can use any …show more content…
Advanced art students, having the foundational skills, are able and willing to do the project and according to Frid, “always enjoy the process and joyfully anticipate the outcome.” It is a valuable experience for both the kids receiving the portraits and the high schoolers participating. The students learn about the cultures the kids are from and take time to reflect during the process. They have an opportunity to explore the power of art and use it altruistically to hopefully make a child feel special, seen, and known while becoming more aware of the hardships kids face around the world. As Mrs. Frid shared, “This project creates a connection with American artists and the kids around the world who receive the art; the work is a reflection of each beautiful soul involved, and it will hopefully give the kids hope for a brighter future, inspire them to become an artist or encourage them to start creating as a means to overcome …show more content…
All students relayed that they enjoyed the process and hope the portraits fill the kids’ lives with joy and happiness. Kurochka shared that she hopes to get in touch with the girl she drew when she returns home and help her as much as she can. She shared, “The girl I drew is very beautiful and I really want her to know that, and love herself.”
It is projects like this that connect the classroom to the greater world, that have a lifelong impact on students. As Mrs. Frid shared, “This project is very authentic and enriching as it involves service learning. Students get to practice their portrait drawing skills while working to help others. They will never forget this opportunity and experience they had in art class.”
More info on the organization can be found at www.memoryproject.org. Anyone can participate, with just a small fee of $15 per portrait for shipping and handling. Sometimes Mrs. Frid pays out of pocket and in the past Boosters has helped. If anyone would like to donate to help students do this next year checks can be mailed to QHS or PHS