Contact: Samantha Barker, 360-725-2572 , barkesj@dsh.wa.gov
Contact: Kathy Spears, 360-902-7893 , spearka@dshs.wa.gov
OLYMPIA -- The nationally recognized Washington state Heart Gallery opens Tuesday, May 2, at the Kress Gallery of the River Park Square in downtown Spokane.
A premiere is scheduled from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 10. The program, featuring Heart Gallery participants and photographers, begins at 5:30 p.m.
The Heart Gallery exhibit includes photographic portraits of more than 45 Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) clients – children, teens, adults, families and seniors – showcasing the work of 22 photographers from around the state. Several portraits by local photographers will feature Spokane residents.
The exhibit's striking images tell the stories of people who need support and encouragement and of those who have successfully found families and homes to call their own.
Since it opened in 2004, the Heart Gallery has been featured in Seattle, Tacoma, Spokane, Olympia, Puyallup, SeaTac and Everett. The project has toured 20 venues with an additional six venues scheduled in 2006. More than 100 different client portraits have been displayed and 38 photographers have participated.
Successes from the Heart Gallery displays, which began in 2004, include:
- 12 of 21 children featured have been adopted
- 65 new families asked to become adoptive parents for children
- 44 people asked to become mentors for at-risk teens
- 32 new families asked to become foster parents for children
- 26 new volunteers asked to help seniors or adults with disabilities
The Heart Gallery is available online.
Questions or comments about the project can be directed to: Samantha Barker DSHS Aging and Disability Services Administration 1-800-422-3263 barkesj@dshs.wa.gov
Sponsors:
- Washington State Department of Social & Health Services
- Washington State Mentoring Partnership
- The Evergreen State College Photography Department
- Doops Copy Tech
- Puyallup Fair (Spring and Fall)
- Children's Museum of Tacoma
Photographers:
- Elizabeth Forbes Armstrong
- Alexa Ayubi
- Doreen Beers-Michel
- Phillip Brugalette
- Rick Carroll
- Erin Cusick
- Dean Davis
- Steve Davis
- Stefanie Felix
- Bill France
- Ira Gardner
- Susie Howell
- Rod Long
- Donna Martinez
- Rosanne Olson
- Shannon Sewell
- James Singleton
- J. Craig Sweat
- Peggy Washburn
- Julie Watts
- Morgana Wingard
- Alexis Wolfe
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