Creating works of art is significant for an artist, especially when it comes to connecting with their audience. The National Art Honor Society (NAHS) was given this chance, by creating portraits for children who are orphans or refugees from other countries. These artists worked with The Memory Project, a humble cause that allows artists to show love and hope to kids around the world.
In this organization, artists pick an orphan or refugee of their choice and create a portrait of them. Each year, a new set of countries are chosen to receive these artworks; this year it was Syria and Bolivia. Students worked for hours to complete their portraits and send them. Everyone was excited to create these portraits for their kids.
“People were very enthusiastic about it,” junior Renée Schmidt said. “Everybody loved showing each other the portraits they made.” The carefully crafted portraits were then shipped to their destination and given to their new owners.
The process of making the art touched many of the artists. Some even realized how privileged and lucky they are to have what they have.
“It felt awesome to draw someone who lives in a completely different world than I do,” senior Aliya Honchstadt said. “In Syria, there are struggles and tragedies that I will never experience and never be able to comprehend.”
The artists also felt a strong personal connection with kids, even drawing from their own life experiences.
“I used to be an orphan too and was interested by the idea of indirectly reaching out to someone I had this connection too,” said Honchstadt.