The Memory Project is a charitable nonprofit organization that invites art teachers, art students, and solo artists to help cultivate global kindness by creating portraits for children around the world who have faced substantial challenges, such as violence, war, extreme poverty, neglect, and loss of parents. Our participants create these portraits to help children feel valued and important, to know that many people care about their well-being, and to provide a special childhood memory in the future. Since 2004 we have created more than 130,000 portraits for children in 47 countries.
Our participation in this project served multiple purposes: In addition to giving our students the chance to make artwork to foster connection and joy with someone across the world, this project also allowed the junior Studio class to work on fundamental portraiture skills: producing accurate facial proportions, practicing different textures, capturing the “spirit” of the child, and mixing skin tones with undertones. Knowing that their “child” would receive the portrait as a gift was added inspiration! Three senior students opted to participate as well!
Shenandoah Valley Governor's School 