"Art changes people. People change the world." –John Butler
This year, a small group of Chapin students devoted time outside of their regular classes to create artwork for children living an ocean away. Through The Memory Project, a nonprofit organization that invites high school and college art students from around the world to create original portraits of children living in an orphanage, nine Upper School students* created portraits for children in Tanzania. To complete these drawings, the participating students each received a photo of a child living in an orphanage and then used this photo to create their original artwork.
The project, which Chapin's art department has participated in for over 10 years, is open to any advanced Upper School art student with strong technical skills. "This year in particular was a very strong year," Head of the Art Department Duane Neil shared. "Our participants created a beautiful assortment of high-quality drawings and even a digital composite." The students met with Mr. Neil periodically throughout the year for technical help and guidance, but the majority of the work was completed on their own time. "It's a testament to their dedication and passion for the project," Mr. Neil proudly explained.
The portraits not only help students to hone their technical drawing skills, they also provide an opportunity for them to practice global awareness and kindness in a creative way. Students who sign up for The Memory Project know how important it is that they produce a high-quality drawing or composite, since it is being given to someone as a gift. Many of the orphans do not have any photos of themselves growing up, so the hand drawn portraits they receive through the Project serve as important mementos they will cherish throughout their lives.
The finished portraits were displayed this May in the Gordon Room hallway for the Chapin community to admire, but are now being prepared for their journey to Tanzania. Chapin's student artists look forward to receiving photos and videos of the big day this summer, when the portraits will be delivered to the children at the orphanage.
Here are a few thoughts from some of Chapin's Memory Project student artists:
"I participated in the Memory Project because I felt as though it was an opportunity to use my interest in art to personally impact another person – something that is not always guaranteed when creating a piece. I liked the idea that our small efforts would be responsible for making someone else happy. I really wanted to make sure that the children who received our pictures understood that people who don't even know them care about their happiness. I hope that our efforts pay off and that the children enjoy their portraits!" -Palmer Ducommun '18
"I chose to do this project because I wanted to do something to help others, besides donating money. I believe that putting in hard work, time, and effort shows that I really care about something. With this project, using art created by our own hands gives a sort of personal connection between us and the child we are sending it to. I thought it would be really cool that a child on the other side of the world would receive something that they knew someone else had put effort into making for them. I also really enjoy art – it is a great way to express yourself and relieve stress. I really hope the child I drew will be happy when he receives it." -Romantica Tan '19
Click HERE to view photos of the portraits.
To learn more, visit www.memoryproject.org
* Ally Bakst '18, Palmer Ducommun '18, Isabel Santiuste '18, Lake Sheffield '19, Odette Steinert '17, Catherine Sullivan '17, Romantica Tan '19, Grace Xu '18, Angela Yang '19