On the news this morning, a small sampling of a large scale project
involving children of various ages painting taxi cabs in New York came
across the screen. I couldn't wait to visit the site:
http://www.portraitsofhope.org
From the site, a brief explanation:
About Portraits of Hope
In 1995, Ed Massey and Bernie Massey founded Portraits of Hope, continuing their utilization of art and poignant visual imagery for large-scale projects of social consequence.
Developed initially as a creative therapy program for seriously ill and physically disabled children, the non-profit program has expanded to include a wide array of children and adults who participate with their schools, hospitals, after-school programs, and community institutions in high-profile, motivational art, education, and creative therapy projects which transform public landscapes and provide youngsters with an opportunity to point with pride and say, "I did that."
Portraits of Hope projects culminate in the visual transformation of public environments and have involved everything from blimps, buildings and tugboats to airplanes and NASCAR racecars. Garden in Transit in New York City and the Long Beach Airport Control Tower Project are current Portraits of Hope projects.
To date, tens of thousands of children and adults across the United States and abroad have been involved in Portraits of Hope educational and artistic activities and projects.
Portraits of Hope has provided children and adults facing cancer, burn trauma, spinal injuries, HIV/AIDS, head and brain injuries, and other serious conditions with innovative, fun, and therapeutic activities that let them enjoy themselves at a time when they are undergoing often difficult treatments in hospitals and healthcare centers.
Specialized Portraits of Hope brushes and painting methods are incorporated in the program's projects including telescope paint brushes for children and adults with IVs or in wheelchairs, shoe brushes for children and adults with injured upper limbs or who cannot manipulate a brush in their hands, and flavored mouth brushes for those who paint with their mouths. Bedside visits are made to make sure that anyone who may wish to participate is able to do so.
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Isn't this great? :-)
Image of but one project - The Ameriquest Airship copyright Portraits of Hope
