"From a Child's Hand: Hearts for Art" traveling show raises funds to help children (11/06/05)

"From a Child's Hand: Hearts for Art" traveling show raises funds to help children

by Marta Kolomayets

CHICAGO - Hundreds of art works by Ukrainian orphans will be on view in the United States throughout the fall and winter of 2005 and the spring of 2006, touring such cities as Chicago, Detroit, Washington, New York, Cleveland, Minneapolis, San Francisco and Los Angeles.

The show, titled "From a Child's Hand: Hearts for Art," is organized by the Ukrainian Children's Aid and Relief Effort Inc. (UCARE), which has branches in Detroit and Chicago. The funds raised through the sale of the children's art pieces, as well as note cards and T-shirts emblazoned with their works, will support the specific needs identified by the orphanages and UCARE's medical and scholarship programs.

Among the first to view these precious drawings and paintings was the first lady of Ukraine, Kateryna Yushchenko, who hosted an afternoon reception at the Ukrainian Institute of America in New York City on September 15 for wives of dignitaries who had gathered at the United Nations for that organization's 60th anniversary celebration as well as prominent women political activists, and cultural, civic and business leaders. The orphans' art works were among the displays at the UIA that featured Ukraine's past, present and future.

"These talented children are Ukraine's future and their artwork represents their dreams and aspirations," noted the first lady. "They truly are Ukraine's littlest ambassadors," added Mrs. Yushchenko, who has worked with Ukraine's orphans since 1995, initially through the International Women's Club in Kyiv and later as a generating force behind the Ukrainian Charitable Fund Help Us Help the Children.

"Donating works of art by Ukrainian children to the children of other countries has become a tradition for the First Lady," commented Orysia Hunder, Mrs. Yushchenko's chief of staff. During her visits to Japan, Poland and the United States, the Ukrainian first lady has brought gifts of children's art work to children's hospitals that she has visited; she plans to do the same while on a visit to France in November. On her last trip to Chicago, Mrs. Yushchenko bought one of the drawings on display at the Ukrainian National Museum to present to the Comer Children's Hospital at the University of Chicago.

The children's works were first on view at the Sunflower Festival in Detroit on August 12-14, where more than $8,000 was raised. "What made this exhibit unique was the fact that the display included pictures of the children creating art and photos of the children holding the completed artwork right beside their original work. This created a strong connection with the children and a much more meaningful experience for those viewing as well as purchasing the work," said Daria Fedoriv, who was instrumental in preparing the show.

"Though the children of the "Hearts for Art" exhibit are in Ukraine, the moment their artwork brightened the walls of the Ukrainian Institute of America, you could swear you heard children laughing in our hallways. We were so proud to support the expressiveness of these beautiful children through this important fundraiser, and we hope we can brighten their lives as much as their art has already brightened ours," said Walter Nazarewicz, the president of New York's UIA. The Ukrainian Institute of America plans to open the exhibit to the general public in December.

The Ukrainian National Museum in Chicago hosted a UCARE show which Mrs. Yushchenko visited during the first week of October. More than 150 paintings and drawings were shown, and the show was almost sold out, earning UCARE about $7,500.

Alexandra Kosogof, the national president of UCARE, said: "We are very honored that the first lady made a point of visiting the exhibits, both in New York and Chicago. She was very gracious to us when we met with her in Kyiv after our mission in May, where we dicsussed the conditons of the orphanages and what their needs are."

Also in early October, the Ukrainian community of Phoenix, Ariz., hosted a show that will run through the end of the year and features 50 art works by Ukraine's orphans.

Events are also planned at the Embassy of Ukraine in Washington, this fall and at the Detroit Zoo Wildlife Interpretive Gallery, where an exhibit/fund-raiser will be held on November 19.

Vera Petrusha, president of the Detroit chapter of UCARE, commented: "Many people ask why there are so many organizations being created to help Ukraine. Why UCARE? I explain to them that we are all droplets of water in an ocean of needs. If we all touch at least one life, give one child hope - that is what counts, everyone of us is making a difference."

If an organization in a U.S. city would like to host a show, e-mail Vera Petrusha, at [email protected] or call (248) 526-0899. T-shirts are sold at all the shows, while note cards can be purchased at www.morethancards.com.

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