Budding young artists from Oak Forest High School are showcasing their talents and compassion by participating in the Memory Project, an initiative that brings smiles to the faces of children across the globe. The advanced placement art students at the school have poured their hearts and hours into painting and drawing portraits, which will soon find their way into the hands of children in Colombia.
The Memory Project is a remarkable endeavor that collaborates with charitable organizations worldwide to deliver artwork to groups of children facing adversity, such as orphans, refugees, and those living in challenging circumstances. Founder Schumaker reached out to schools, including Oak Forest High School, inviting them to take part in this heartwarming mission.
Dan Chambers, the AP studio teacher at Oak Forest High School, described the process, “When we start, I ask [students] if they’d be willing to participate, because ultimately what’s happening is the students are making the paintings and drawings for someone else, and they’re going to be giving them away.” The students utilize photographs provided by the partnering charities, creating intricate artistic portraits based on these images.
The students’ commitment extends beyond the portraits themselves. They add a personal touch by tracing their own hands and inscribing heartfelt messages within the tracings before sending their artwork to the young recipients. This simple yet meaningful gesture goes a long way in brightening the children’s lives.
For Oak Forest High School’s art students, the Memory Project has become an annual tradition. This marks the fourth time in recent years that the school’s talented youngsters have eagerly joined hands to bring joy and hope to children in need.
One of the students, Abbey Hernandez, shared her emotional connection to the project, saying, “If I can make someone’s day a little better in a difficult time, I thought that would be really nice to put a smile on their face. Once we received our pictures, I actually got one. He is 4, and he loves blue and swimming, and I thought I could incorporate that into there. So I really feel like I made, like, a connection; or I tried to capture everything that I did know about him into it; and, yeah, it just makes me feel really good, knowing that they’re going to be sent off to them.”
The impact of the Memory Project is immeasurable, not only on the children who receive these thoughtful gifts but also on the young artists who are learning the power of art to transcend boundaries and bring happiness to those in need. As the portraits make their way to Colombia, they carry not only the artistic prowess of Oak Forest High School’s students but also the warmth of their hearts and the message that compassion knows no borders.
In a world filled with challenges, the Memory Project stands as a beacon of hope and unity, reminding us that even the smallest acts of kindness can make a significant difference. The art students of Oak Forest High School are painting a brighter future, one portrait at a time.
