Stories put to canvas

Three young children laugh as they sit in a metal bucket while bathing each other.

A young boy sits in the road, alone, as he waits for his mom to leave the medical clinic.

These paintings by a College of DuPage student might have never touched canvas without the inspiration from a trip to the Dominican Republic.

Art students Laura Hertz and Marie Kinnear will present 13 of their paintings as part of an art and benefit show, "Through the Artists' Eyes," from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Sally's Coffee House, 1030 College Ave., Wheaton.

Proceeds from the sale of the artwork will help finance medical supplies and food for children and families of the Dominican Republic.

"I think (the art show) will have a good turn out," said Hertz, who wants her art to inspire "more involvement globally."

On July 17-24, Hertz joined 14 Wheaton high school students and seven other adults on a mission trip to the Dominican Republic. During their time in Batey Nueve, they helped build a church, set up a medical clinic and evangelized.

While at the medical clinic, Hertz said they helped almost 1,000 Dominican and Haitian families.

This is the sixth year Hertz and her daughter, Anna, 16, traveled to the Dominican. However, Hertz said the reaction from the children of the Dominican was different this time. She wanted to show this through her paintings.

"I think that's the vision in my arts, just to paint expressions and paint their joy. It's not even happiness, it's pure joy … just being alive," Hertz said.

Both Hertz and Kinnear give credit to their COD art teacher, Jennifer Hereth.

"She's been such an inspiration," Kinnear said.

The paintings will be on display and available to purchase through Sept. 30 at Sally's Coffee House. For details, call (630) 682-4513.