This fall, students participated in a global art initiative, known as The Memory Project. Started in 2004 by Ben Schumaker, the project’s purpose is to connect youth around the world through art. Students create portraits to help build cultural understanding through international kindness.

“The Memory Project gets its name from its first intention, which is to provide handmade, heartfelt portraits as special memories to children in orphanages.  Now our intention has expanded to touching the lives of youth around the world facing many types of challenges while opening our hearts and minds so they can touch ours in return.” –Ben Schumaker

Each year, The Memory Project selects children from two countries. This year, the countries were Ukraine and Nigeria. PRP students received a packet of photographs for 15 children, along with their names, interests, favorite colors, personality traits, and long-term goals. The challenge for each student was to create a portrait that was a strong resemblance, while still adding their own artistic interpretation to convey their subject’s inner beauty and personality.

Our class’s final portraits were mailed out in mid-January 2023. Stay tuned for an update as the artwork is delivered! Thanks to all the students who gave so much love and energy to this project. “Together we are using art to reach a distant destination: a kinder world in which all youth see themselves in one another regardless of differences in their appearance, culture, religion, or circumstances.” 

For more information on The Memory Project, visit https://www.memoryproject.org/about