CANVASING THE NEIGHBORHOOD:
Exploring Community with the young artists of Foster Pride
What happens when Foster Pride (a non-profit which mentors children and teens in the foster care system) collaborates with former Amazing Race contestant London Kaye (who just happens to be a renown crochet artist)? CANVASING THE NEIGHBORHOOD: Exploring Community with the Young Artists of Foster Pride, a new exhibition of paintings, pictures, photos and unique “yarn bomb” installations, created especially for The ARTViews Gallery of the Fine Art Program.
“Community has a special meaning for children in foster care who have been uprooted from their families, friends, schools, and familiar routines,” says Foster Pride Founder and Executive Director, Lynn Schnurnberger. “What’s so inspiring about the exhibition is how, through art, children and teens not only gain life skills and build self-esteem, but they garner a vehicle for expressing their stories.” Foster children are an extremely vulnerable population. Fifty percent of youth in foster care never graduate high school, and 7 out of 10 end up homeless. Foster Pride, which was named “One of NYC’s 4 Top Charities” by CBS.com, helps these children beat the odds. Foster Pride students go on to graduate two and four-year college programs; their art work has been exhibited in prestigious locations, such as the Lever House Gallery and Rockefeller Center; and, the young teenage women in Foster Pride’s HandMade program not only learn how to crochet, but they also run a small business selling their unique creations.
The youth in Foster Pride programs are particularly excited about this chance to show their work at Montefiore. “My dad was in the hospital here a little while ago,” said Javion, age 9. “I think he would have liked to see all this happy artwork. I hope all the families who are here now do too.”
ARTViews Curator Jodi Moise knows they will. “The ARTViews Gallery hosts exhibitions that recognize and celebrate the visual artists of the Bronx,” she says. “When I first learned about Foster Pride and how they use art as a vehicle to build their student’s confidence and independence I felt it was very important to share their work with the Medical Center’s audience. The students—all with Bronx connections—are so talented, the exhibition is captivating! I am very pleased to feature their work for all of our patients, caregivers, physicians, students and the community to enjoy.”
Sponsored by The Fine Art Program and Collection at Montefiore Einstein