A project involving Caledonia High School students creating portraits of orphaned children in Haiti wrapped up this semester with delivery of the final pieces of art back to the children.
During the 2012-2013 school year, National Art Honor Society members received photos from The Memory Project, a nonprofit that sends pictures of disadvantaged children from around the world to students to turn into portraits. A $15 donation with each piece of artwork pays for shipping along with a needed item or gift for the orphanages taking care of the children.
Caledonia students raised $750 at their annual Fine Arts Night to cover this cost, which helped buy mattresses for orphanages, according to Mike Cornell, Caledonia art teacher and National Art Honor Society adviser.
Katelyn Hamming, who drew portraits of two orphans, said it was the best project she did all year. “I loved the fact that my artwork was actual going to make a young child happy and maybe look at things a little bit differently,” she said. “I had the opportunity to make someone smile through my art, someone I’ve never met, and it was great.” 
Cornell said the project gave students a different perspective of their art. “Students don’t often get to see so clearly the impact their artwork may have on individual viewers. This is such a unique opportunity for our art students, we’re all grateful for our community’s support of The Memory Project.”
This is the second year Caledonia students participated. They plan to raise funds at the spring Fine Arts Night to do it again this year.
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