Portraits of Hope - P.O.H.
Portraits of Hope – Hospitals, Disabilities and Creative Therapy
Photo: POH
Public Art, Creative Therapy, Civic Leadership, and Community Engagement
Portraits of Hope has involved tens of thousands of children and adults in huge civic collaborations - in the U.S. and abroad – that have strikingly transformed everything from airplanes, buildings, and the New York City taxi fleet to blimps, tugboats, race cars, and the Los Angeles beach lifeguard towers, by working with organizations from NASA to NASCAR.
Conceived and developed by Ed Massey and Bernie Massey,
Founders of Portraits of Hope
Developed initially for seriously ill and physically disabled children, the
501 (c)(3) program creates one-of-a-kind motivational art projects that
merge the production of dynamic public art works with creative therapy
for hospitalized children and civic education for students of all ages.
More than 900 hospitals, schools, and social service agencies have
directly participated in Portraits of Hope projects in addition to a
broad array of adult civic groups and colleges.
For children in hospitals and persons with disabilities, participation in the
projects serves as creative therapy. Special Portraits of Hope brushes
and methods have been developed for children and adults with physical
disabilities, including telescope brushes for those in wheel chairs, shoe
brushes for people unable to manipulate a brush with their hands, and
fruit-flavored mouth brushes for kids and adults with limited or no movement
in their limbs.
In schools, Portraits of Hope’s interdisciplinary, project-based learning
program focuses on social issues education, with an emphasis placed
on how youth would integrate their personal ambitions with broader
societal objectives. During the sessions the kids learn about the importance
of civic education, creativity, and teamwork in achieving both individual
and societal goals. They then experience the power of teamwork by
engaging in collaborative sessions for the creation of the vibrant, large-scale
public works.
The high-profile civic projects culminate in tangible feats that instill a powerful
sense of pride and achievement in all participants, and provides children with
an opportunity to say, “I did that!” – often on the national and world stage.
Art panels from the large-scale exhibitions are donated to beautify social service
institutions everywhere – senior centers, child service centers, women’s shelters,
transitional housing units, schools, and many other community facilities, including
communities recovering from natural disasters.
Every demographic group has been involved in Portraits of Hope,
highlighting the power of teamwork, collaboration, and achievement for all.
Summer of Color, Soaring Dreams Airship,, Garden in Transit, Soaring Dreams NASCAR,
Project 9865 - Tower of Hope, Garden in Transit Airborne, Chelsea Piers Project, Ice at
Santa Monica, 212 S. State Street Project
Portraits of Hope – Hospitals, Disabilities and Creative Therapy
Photo: POH
Public Art, Creative Therapy, Civic Leadership, and Community Engagement
Portraits of Hope has involved tens of thousands of children and adults in huge civic collaborations - in the U.S. and abroad – that have strikingly transformed everything from airplanes, buildings, and the New York City taxi fleet to blimps, tugboats, race cars, and the Los Angeles beach lifeguard towers, by working with organizations from NASA to NASCAR.
Conceived and developed by Ed Massey and Bernie Massey,
Founders of Portraits of Hope
Developed initially for seriously ill and physically disabled children, the
501 (c)(3) program creates one-of-a-kind motivational art projects that
merge the production of dynamic public art works with creative therapy
for hospitalized children and civic education for students of all ages.
More than 900 hospitals, schools, and social service agencies have
directly participated in Portraits of Hope projects in addition to a
broad array of adult civic groups and colleges.
For children in hospitals and persons with disabilities, participation in the
projects serves as creative therapy. Special Portraits of Hope brushes
and methods have been developed for children and adults with physical
disabilities, including telescope brushes for those in wheel chairs, shoe
brushes for people unable to manipulate a brush with their hands, and
fruit-flavored mouth brushes for kids and adults with limited or no movement
in their limbs.
In schools, Portraits of Hope’s interdisciplinary, project-based learning
program focuses on social issues education, with an emphasis placed
on how youth would integrate their personal ambitions with broader
societal objectives. During the sessions the kids learn about the importance
of civic education, creativity, and teamwork in achieving both individual
and societal goals. They then experience the power of teamwork by
engaging in collaborative sessions for the creation of the vibrant, large-scale
public works.
The high-profile civic projects culminate in tangible feats that instill a powerful
sense of pride and achievement in all participants, and provides children with
an opportunity to say, “I did that!” – often on the national and world stage.
Art panels from the large-scale exhibitions are donated to beautify social service
institutions everywhere – senior centers, child service centers, women’s shelters,
transitional housing units, schools, and many other community facilities, including
communities recovering from natural disasters.
Every demographic group has been involved in Portraits of Hope,
highlighting the power of teamwork, collaboration, and achievement for all.
Summer of Color, Soaring Dreams Airship,, Garden in Transit, Soaring Dreams NASCAR,
Project 9865 - Tower of Hope, Garden in Transit Airborne, Chelsea Piers Project, Ice at
Santa Monica, 212 S. State Street Project