Every year for nearly all my sixteen years at CVU, we have participated in the Memory Project - a non-profit organization that takes photographs of youth living in difficult situations (extreme poverty, children's homes, refugee camps...) who partners with art teachers and students who make portraits that get delivered to these children all across the world. Since I started keeping track in 2008, we have made over 500 portraits for youth in ten different countries.
This spring was a little "different," in case you didn't notice....
I couldn't ensure that my students would all be ready to make the portraits without the structure and scaffolding that I usually provide in a classroom setting. With the format of remote learning, I couldn't even expect my students to participate. But, I know the power of this project to build empathy and understanding across cultures. The power of the experience for our students to want to do their best. So, I didn't give up on the project. I worked with the art teachers in our building to identify students whose skill set would be ready to work on this project independent of any class. People who could take it on, and would follow through. I invited students to participate, and even had some students refer other students to me and this project, which was particularly wonderful.
Because the Memory Project organization found themselves in a pinch, with many schools closed for the year, they had many portraits that had no artists to fulfill them. They were offering this service for free this spring in hopes to fill the gap that they were experiencing. This allowed us to do this project, opening it up to others outside our building in the greater community. We hope it helped the organization that has given so much, to so many.
The people who worked on this project did so, outside of any class. They took this on as something extra. There was a general feeling of togetherness working toward a common good, a purpose to anchor us during this difficult time, and a way to connect with others across the building, district, and community.
Below is the email I sent to them in thanks. It includes the presentation which includes photos of the artwork created. I am incredibly grateful to be working with such kind and giving students, faculty, and administrators who understand the power of art to bring us together.
Hello all,
I hope this note finds you well.
Thank you for participating in the Memory Project Spring 2020! You stood up and took on extra "work" - outside of any class or life responsibility - you took on something more. Something truly special. You took the time during a crisis to give. You gave your time, you gave your talent, you gave a lasting gift of a lifetime. You are all amazing.
Please see what you all made, together.
This spring was a little "different," in case you didn't notice....
I couldn't ensure that my students would all be ready to make the portraits without the structure and scaffolding that I usually provide in a classroom setting. With the format of remote learning, I couldn't even expect my students to participate. But, I know the power of this project to build empathy and understanding across cultures. The power of the experience for our students to want to do their best. So, I didn't give up on the project. I worked with the art teachers in our building to identify students whose skill set would be ready to work on this project independent of any class. People who could take it on, and would follow through. I invited students to participate, and even had some students refer other students to me and this project, which was particularly wonderful.
Because the Memory Project organization found themselves in a pinch, with many schools closed for the year, they had many portraits that had no artists to fulfill them. They were offering this service for free this spring in hopes to fill the gap that they were experiencing. This allowed us to do this project, opening it up to others outside our building in the greater community. We hope it helped the organization that has given so much, to so many.
The people who worked on this project did so, outside of any class. They took this on as something extra. There was a general feeling of togetherness working toward a common good, a purpose to anchor us during this difficult time, and a way to connect with others across the building, district, and community.
Below is the email I sent to them in thanks. It includes the presentation which includes photos of the artwork created. I am incredibly grateful to be working with such kind and giving students, faculty, and administrators who understand the power of art to bring us together.
Hello all,
I hope this note finds you well.
Thank you for participating in the Memory Project Spring 2020! You stood up and took on extra "work" - outside of any class or life responsibility - you took on something more. Something truly special. You took the time during a crisis to give. You gave your time, you gave your talent, you gave a lasting gift of a lifetime. You are all amazing.
Please see what you all made, together.
Thank you to Abbie, the CVU faculty and administration, and especially to the students for this tremendous project.
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