Beautiful art created by Haitian children participating in the Art Creation Foundation for Children program is on display and for sale at Fairhaven Originals Gallery (FOG) in Bellingham, Washington. Bright multi-colored paper-mâché figures and bowls make up the collection on display.
FOG owner, David McInnis, met up with ACFFC principals in Jacmel, Haiti while flying earthquake relief missions during February 2010. They presented him with special thank-you gifts from the children, brightly painted paper-mâché bowls they had crafted. It was then that McInnis realized the opportunity to display and sell the children’s artwork in his gallery and send 100% of the sale proceeds directly back to the ACFFC.
The Art Creation Foundation for Children and Zanmi Lakay (Haitian for “friend’s home”) are non-profit organizations working together to teach the children of Haiti the importance of community, social justice, and responsibility through the arts. Founded in 2003, ACFFC teaches traditional Haitian art as well as promote literacy and mathematics. In addition, the ACFFC and Zanmi Lakay provide food, shelter, clothes, and medical coverage for the students and their families. Children who would otherwise be forced into prostitution or indentured servitude receive the necessary skill to be financially independent as well as become important members of the community. In Haiti, artists, who are quite in demand, help provide economic stability by spending money on local vendors. The next generation of Haitian artists are being nurtured and given confidence in paper-mâché, painting and photography workshops provided by ACFFC.
FOG gallery curator, Caitlin McInnis, said, “Fairhaven Originals Gallery is honored to display the children of Haiti’s artwork. Haiti is a place where so little can go so far as to keep families together and promote a higher standard of living.” She continued, “It is comforting to know that the sale of these pieces goes directly to benefit the children of the ACFFC and Zanmi Lakay.”
About Fairhaven Originals Gallery
Fairhaven Originals Gallery (FOG) is owned and operated by local entrepreneur and art enthusiast David McInnis. Fairhaven Originals Gallery displays an exciting collection of hand-picked original art representing the very best in a variety of media. Bronze, assemblage, ceramic, wall sculpture, and much more are displayed in their beautiful and large gallery space in the historic Fairhaven District of Bellingham, Washington, located in the Pacific Northwest. The gallery is located at 960 Harris Avenue, Suite 103 in the Fairhaven district of Bellingham, Washington.
About The Art Creation Foundation for Children
Art Creation Foundation for Children is a non-profit arts organization created for education and personal growth of children in need in Jacmel, Haiti. The Art Creation Foundation for Children is located in Jacmel, Haiti with headquarters in Florida. At any time, it has been typically serving 60 children and their families with art supplies, classes and three meals. This count has grown to 80 since the earthquake in January of this year. More information is available at their website, http://www.artforhaitianchildren.org/.
About Zanmi Lakay
Zanmi Lakay is a non-profit arts organization that works with foundations such as the ACFFC to support homeless and at risk children in Haiti with general living and educational expenses. Over 200,000 children have lost one or both parents to Aides and over 173,000 are forced to work as Domestic workers, or indentured servants. Zanmi Lakay strives to protect these vulnerable children with educational funding, out reach programs, and photography workshops. More information is available at their website: http://www.zanmilakay.org/
