Hi folks;

I've got an idea for a charitable event and wanted to know if anyone is interested before I start on the project. Please read the idea and reply here on the forum. Feel free to post pros and cons, alternative ideas, whatever you think about this. Here's the idea:

The kids in U.K. Children's Hospital can get pretty bored and restless. Some are there for extended periods, too, compounding the problem. Given that so many of us are artists in one form or another, and that we know a lot of artists - amateur and professional - I think having an Art Day with the kids would be a very cool thing that most (all?) of them would enjoy.

Depending on their particular situation, we would have different levels of things for them to do. For little kids we could offer the basics (finger painting, clay, drawing on newsprint pads on easels, etc.) and have an art gallery of their work (creatively staged, of course). For older kids, we could have more complex activities like sketching classes, photography basics, linoleum board and the like.

This would need approval by UK administration and we'd need to get donations of art materials (not too hard if you promise to plug them), arrange time and place, and all the other logistical things. In addition, we could recruit other artists not in D-MAG to help. UK, Transy and Spencerian students could be involved as well as public school art teachers.

The benefit to us is publicity and, most importantly, the opportunity to share some of the joy we get from our jobs. Who knows, we might plant a seed within a child that grows into a promising career in art. At the very least, we'll know we made a difference, if only for a day.

Your input is appreciated and, if you're so moved, your willingness to help would be, too. Let me know if you'd like to be a part of this.

Thanks,
Frank Goad