Opening Hearts Through the Arts
--by Maria Langlais
At right is Mrs. Iana St. Procel, who created a poem about the "Heart Gallery" project. See Mrs. St.Procel's poem in the following article.
Heart Gallery Photography Exhibit
Art has always been a source of inspiration. The compelling photographs of the Heart Gallery photography exhibit were created to inspire a desire and willingness to make a difference in the lives of others. The Heart Gallery features 59 portraits of Washington residents who are supported by Washington State's Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) Program. Nine of the Northwest's top photographers volunteered their expertise to create the stunning visual images of people who need our help and encouragement. The rotating exhibit, which will be featured in various venues throughout King County, moved to Seattle Center on July 30. The Heart Gallery project began in New Mexico in 2001, as part of the effort to find adoptive homes for young children. Washington State's exhibit portrays the broader community of residents of all ages, including teens, families, adults and seniors. In order to bring these museum-quality portraits to King County residents, DSHS has partnered with the art community, local businesses and private social service agencies. The goal of The Heart Gallery is to inspire the public to: - Serve as caregivers and companions to the elderly and people with disabilities.
- Identify employment opportunities for people with developmental disabilities, and provide respite for their caregivers.
- Become adoptive and foster families to children whose families cannot or will not care for them.
- Mentor at-risk teens.
- Support the Governor's Scholarship Fund for youth in foster care and kinship care.
The Seattle Center will host a free Resource Fair on Saturday, August 7 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the Center House. In addition to viewing the photos, visitors will have an opportunity to participate in 30 minute break-out sessions on topics that highlight specific ways in which people can help, ranging from opportunities to serve as a caregiver to the elderly to adopting young children or mentoring teens.
The Resource Fair will also feature twenty different social service agencies and programs that will be on hand to provide information about their services. Many of these programs are specifically for older adults who are either interested in helping others or who are in need of services for themselves. Programs include the Long Term Care Ombudsman, Senior Information & Assistance, several home health agencies, and Seniors in Service to Seattle.
For more information about the Washington State Heart Gallery, visit www1.dshs.wa.gov/heartgallery.
Seattle Area Heart Gallery Venues July 30 - August 14
Seattle Center, Center House, 2nd Floor Gallery
305 Harrison St.
Seattle, WA 98109
(206) 684-7200
Sun.-Thurs., 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Fri. - Sat., 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.
August 16 - 30
Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center
104 17th Ave. S.
Seattle, WA 98144
(206) 684-4757
Mon. - Fri., 11:30 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.
August 16 - 30
New Holly Neighborhood Campus
7054 32nd Ave. S.
Seattle, WA 98118
(206) 723-1725
Mon. - Thurs., 8 a.m. - 7 p.m., Fri. 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. October - December
Washington State Convention and Trade Center
2nd Floor, 800 Convention Place, Seattle, WA 98101
(206) 694-5000
Mon. - Sun., 7 a.m. - 10 p.m.
For more information about the Heart Gallery Project, please contact:
Samantha Barker
barkesj@dshs.wa.gov
1-800-422-3263 ext. 2572
Other Resources For those who are moved to action by this powerful exhibit, the project has developed a guide titled How You Can Help. The guide includes descriptions of available opportunities for helping as well as contact information for the featured programs. Click here to download a copy. For more ways to get in touch with the Department of Social and Health Services go to the DSHS Contact Information Web page. --Photo by Eduardo Caldern
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