Local art students make gifts for children in Syria

Posted December 18, 2017 10:00 pm

Vernon Hills High School art students display portraits they made of Syrian orphans as part of The Memory Project. Courtesy of Community High School District 128

Submitted by Community High School District 128

This semester, art students at Vernon Hills High School volunteered to create portraits of 12 orphaned Syrian children as part of The Memory Project. The Memory Project is a nonprofit organization based in Middleton, Wisconsin, that connects American art students with children in need across the globe.

The VHHS students in Allison Molloy's Vernon Hills High School AP Drawing & 2D Design Portfolio and Drawing & Painting Studio classes shared a piece of their artistic passion with these children who face substantial challenges, such as violence and extreme poverty. All drawings, paintings and mixed media portraits were created this semester and will be delivered to orphans in Syria in January.

Given that youth in Syria usually have few personal keepsakes, the purpose of the portraits is to provide them with meaningful mementos of their youth. The project also allows the VHHS art students to practice the values of kindness, giving and global awareness, while enhancing their portraiture skills. Students received the photos of children and used studio time to create their drawings and paintings. The Memory Project began in 2004 with more than 100,000 American art students having created portraits for children in 44 countries so far.

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A portrait of a Syran Orphan created by VHHS student Anya Caples for The Memory Project Courtesy of Community High School District 128

Vernon Hills High School student Zahra Nadeem displays a portrait she created of a Syran Orphan. Courtesy of Community High School District 128

A portrait of a Syran Orphan created by VHHS student Olivia Sheldon for The Memory Project Courtesy of Community High School District 128

A portrait of a Syran Orphan in pen, Copic marker and washi tape, created by VHHS student Lily Meng for The Memory Project. Courtesy of Community High School District 128

A portrait of a Syran Orphan created by VHHS student Drew Laser for The Memory Project Courtesy of Community High School District 128

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