May 10, 2006

Heart Gallery Opens Eyes About The Local Need For Adoption and Foster Care

Shaniya’s eyes are gleaming. Her smile is wide and toothy.

The information about Shaniya says that she likes wearing dresses, playing with dolls and having her hair styled with pretty bows and barrettes.

The information about Shaniya also says she is Dalvin’s brother. Dalvin is in the photo next to his sister.

Shaniya and Dalvin are looking for a home. A “forever home’’ where they can develop and thrive with parents and maybe, new brothers and sisters.

Shaniya and Dalvin are two of 20 children from Scottt, Muscatine and Cedar counties in Iowa who are featured in the first-ever Heart Gallery of Eastern Iowa. Professional photographers in the region were commissioned to take beautiful, impactful portraits of the adoptable children.

The Heart Gallery of Eastern Iowa is on display in the lobby of Genesis Medical Center, East Rusholme St., through May 19.

The photos commissioned by Quad City Arts put a face on children who are available for adoption locally.

“Art has always been used as a way to inform society about something that isn’t seen by everyone. That is part of this project,’’ said Lori Roderick, Vice Director of Programs, Quad City Arts. “These are the beautiful images of kids that we might not think about, but are out there every day.

“This is art to generate thought about kids that are always out there waiting for permanent homes.’’

The Heart Gallery of Eastern Iowa is one of the newest galleries of its kind.  Since the first Heart Gallery concept debuted in New Mexico in 2001, the idea has spread to all areas of the country.

Roderick said the response to the Heart Gallery concept has been overwhelmingly positive from the public and the media. The Heart Gallery idea has been featured in The New York Times, on the ABC News show 20/20, in Parade Magazine and on National Public Radio.

Heart Gallery of Eastern Iowa has made an impression on Genesis employees and visitors who have stopped to view the exhibit.

“Everyone who I’ve heard from when I’ve been at Genesis loves the gallery and loves the idea,’’ Roderick said.  “If the funding is available, we would love to continue this project in the future and we would like to continue working with Genesis to display the work of regional artists.’’

In other areas, as many as half of the children featured in Heart Gallery exhibits have been placed in permanent homes.

Other planned exhibits of the Heart Gallery of Eastern Iowa are: May 19-June 2, Tipton Library, Tipton; June 2-16, Muscatine Art Center, Muscatine; and June 16-30, The Family Museum, Bettendorf.

Community members are invited to come together to celebrate the arts and the children. Information on the photographers and the Heart Gallery Project along with materials on foster care and adoption will be available at each of the exhibits.