William Floyd High School art students have engaged in a creative initiative through the "Memory Project," an endeavor aimed at fostering cultural connections and kindness worldwide. The students, under the guidance of Mrs. Theresa Bianco, crafted portraits for children in India who have faced significant challenges such as neglect, abuse, and extreme poverty.
The Memory Project is a non-profit organization dedicated to linking students globally to promote cultural understanding. William Floyd's participants selected Indian youth as their subjects, using details like age and favorite colors provided by the program to personalize each portrait. The artists employed various mediums including markers, pastels, colored pencils, graphite pencils, and digital tools like Procreate.
Mrs. Bianco noted the initial apprehension among her students: “They were nervous at first because they wanted to make sure their portraits had each student's likeness and personality.” She commended their ability to capture facial details and incorporate vibrant backgrounds into their work.
The project was well-received by the student-artists. Junior James Smart expressed his appreciation for the opportunity: “It was an honor to make a kid’s day by giving them something unique and special.” Fellow junior Isabella Humberstone shared her experience: “It was challenging drawing and adding color to her, but I know she will enjoy it.”
This initiative not only allowed William Floyd students to refine their artistic skills but also created meaningful connections with children across the globe.