Art Party, a benefit exhibition of pictures made by children from around the world
Dec. 20, 2012
Art Party, marking its 10th anniversary this year, is a benefit exhibition of artwork created by children from children’s shelters and other children’s organizations in Asia, Africa, and other parts of the world. The exhibition takes place each December in downtown Hiroshima and will be held this year at Aster Plaza. Art Party is coordinated by ANT-Hiroshima, an NPO located in Naka Ward, and is organized by a group of volunteers.
Each picture at the exhibition includes the name and photograph of the child who created it. The pictures can be purchased for a donation of at least 1,000 yen and 100% of the money raised is then returned to the children’s organizations taking part in the event. Last year, 196 pictures were sold and approximately 400,000 yen was donated to 15 organizations in 13 countries.
Art Party was originally conceived by Adam Beck, 50, a resident of Higashi Ward, who was teaching English classes and donating the students’ fees to children’s orphanages, then decided he wanted to expand his charity work to touch more children.
Tomoko Watanabe, 58, is the executive director of ANT-Hiroshima and oversees the Art Party effort. “The pictures created by the children reflect the characteristics of their region and the life of their community,” she said. “The pictures are a window for seeing the world.” At the same time, for the children at the participating organizations, the opportunity to earn money by selling their artwork, to aid their own lives, provides a big boost of confidence.
This year’s Art Party exhibition will be held from December 11 to 17 at Aster Plaza. (Daichi Ishii, 16 and Yuri Ryoukai, 15)
(Originally Published on November 26, 2012)
Each picture at the exhibition includes the name and photograph of the child who created it. The pictures can be purchased for a donation of at least 1,000 yen and 100% of the money raised is then returned to the children’s organizations taking part in the event. Last year, 196 pictures were sold and approximately 400,000 yen was donated to 15 organizations in 13 countries.
Art Party was originally conceived by Adam Beck, 50, a resident of Higashi Ward, who was teaching English classes and donating the students’ fees to children’s orphanages, then decided he wanted to expand his charity work to touch more children.
Tomoko Watanabe, 58, is the executive director of ANT-Hiroshima and oversees the Art Party effort. “The pictures created by the children reflect the characteristics of their region and the life of their community,” she said. “The pictures are a window for seeing the world.” At the same time, for the children at the participating organizations, the opportunity to earn money by selling their artwork, to aid their own lives, provides a big boost of confidence.
This year’s Art Party exhibition will be held from December 11 to 17 at Aster Plaza. (Daichi Ishii, 16 and Yuri Ryoukai, 15)
(Originally Published on November 26, 2012)
