School-aged artists hold exhibit to fund cancer research
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A group of kids too young to have debit cards hope to raise thousands through their own creativity.
Students at Parkside Community School in South Austin put their artwork on display Sunday at Russell Collection Fine Art on West Sixth Street.
Patty Alfonso, 7, said the exhibit featuring paintings by her and her peers is her biggest accomplishment to date. It began with a discussion in her mom's car about a friend at school, Georgia Moore, who is battling Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.
"She has cancer,” Patty said. “Other people's cancer I need to help, too. I can't just help one person; I have to help lots of people."
Patty and her mother then approached her teacher, and within a few weeks, the canvases were covered. Kids from ages 2 to 12 painted something they felt would bring comfort to others their age battling cancer.
Patty showed off some of her favorite pieces while giving a tour of the gallery.
"Isn't it unique?” Patty said, pointing to a classmate’s painting. “It says 'Fight Cancer!'"
Teacher Camille LaTour said Patty's project has sparked a discussion about showing compassion to others.
"Maybe talk about how there's a need for cancer research because children all over the world are affected by cancer,” LaTour said.
While the goal of the art gallery was to help fight cancer, LaTour hopes it will inspire other children to discover their own creativity.
"This just reminds me how powerful the intention of children can be when they know there are other people that are not quite as fortunate or need help," LaTour said.
Patty and her schoolmates quickly found an organization they wanted to support, called CureSearch. It funds the Children's Oncology Group, which is touted as the world's largest children's cancer research collaborative.
LaTour said Sunday’s art exhibit began with the vision of one girl wanting to help another.
"But this artwork is for oncology research for many, many children that we don't even know,” she said. “I think that's one of the most beautiful parts about it."
Russell Collection Fine Art donated the exhibit space to the students.
You can still help Patty’s mission by donating to CureSearch in the name of Georgia Moore.