Getting Involved - Spring 2007

I am deeply touched by the amount of interest in reaching out to children all over the world through art. Thank you!!!! Plans now include a trip in summer of 2007 to India, visiting Bhubaneswar, Dehli, Jaisalmer, and possibly a few more locations. I am also in the process
of developing connections in some other countries for early 2008. Please scroll to January blog to see pix from last trip.

Want to get involved??? It is easy...

How it works:
Send me a picture following the requirements below. I will take it to a child in need and provide them with supplies to make a picture for you in return. Each artist will receive a piece of art upon my return, mailed to you in your envelope. Whenever possible, there will also be included a photo of the child who created it. Works of heart-felt art are exchanged!

For consistency I ask that the pictures contain some sort of figurative element. This way, children around the world can find some element they recognize in the work and find comfort in the familiar. Because of this, smaller children may choose something like collage work. Shared adult/child art is also appropriate. Keep in mind that many of the children I work with overseas are 5-16 year olds.

Requirements:
1) The art needs to be on 8.5x11 paper for consistency and ease in transport. They may be drawings, rubbings, collage, however you are inspired, so long as it is flat and stackable.
2) Each piece should say “To my friend, From ______” (artist’s name) as personalizing this is a part of the experience.
3) Please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope.
Optional: Include a photo of the artist to be given to a child along with the art.

It is that easy. Please join me. For info. or to get involved write: art2heart@collectivecompassion.org

Always Learning and Growing...

Initially when I dreamed this up I had hoped for a solid connection. After my
first trip, it was quickly apparent that the children we are reaching out
to can be quite transient. And, mail to many of these places is unreliable at best. I go to
the same places and look for the same children, but cannot guarantee that they
will be there. Thankfully for them, as sometimes they get adopted or sponsored
to go to a boarding school!

And, I had envisioned the children's need to see their name. However, what I
saw in the children was thorough joy in seeing "friend". I learned the
importance of the connection itself,
receiving a hand made piece of art with "friend" on it was quite effective.


Therefore, I have adapted the program for this by having everyone put "to my
friend", as the children were just delighted to have a friend in another
country.


Please feel free to email me with any further questions.

Many Blessings,
Nance Miller
Art2Heart@CollectiveCompassion.org