Jill's Journal: Portland has an abundance of fantastic things for children. One of the very best, at least in my kids’ eyes, is Children’s Healing Art Project (CHAP).
CHAP started as a “mission to bring the healing power of art to children in crisis and their families in and out of local hospitals.” They work with over 10,000 children a year in hospitals, “where children can be seen for their artistic talents and not for their diseases, diagnoses, or disabilities.”
CHAP has been so successful in their mission that they’ve expanded to regular, everyday kids in Portland as well. We were directed downtown to their large warehouse-type facility. For $5 apiece, the girls each got an hour to wreck any type of havoc they liked with a plethora of art supplies that would put Michael’s to shame. There were only two rules: no running and please no painting the floor. Other than that, they could paint and decorate walls, windows, couches, furniture, mannequins, toys, a cardboard castle, clothing, themselves, you name it.
The girls – who love arts and crafts more than just about anything on this planet – could hardly believe their good fortune. Seriously, to be cut loose to create art? They couldn’t fathom anything better. And after a brief foray with glitter glue, all three girls simply wanted to paint, paint, and paint some more.
Madelyn and Victoria both declared the activity “better than the iPad” (occasional time with Daddy’s iPad is the biggest treat the girls can imagine). Erika was so focused on her painting projects that she didn’t have time for small talk, but she clearly enjoyed it as well. If my kids, who are admittedly blessed with amazing opportunities all the time, were so enriched by CHAP, I can’t imagine what a special thing it must be for kids in the hospital. What a wonderful program. These people do good work.
As we left, we spotted Erika’s fresh handprint on the outside window. That was such an unexpected moment for the girls and a thrilling end to our perfect time at CHAP.
6 comments:
I think I would want to paint too! LOL
I love this idea! Can we start a branch here in KY??
How fun. How long did it take you to get all the paint off the girls? I think mine would be painting each other after about 10 minutes.
Gretchen, I sure thought of you while I compiled this post. You would LOVE this place!!
Gary, happily the paint washed right off -- even out of their hair!! Thank goodness. :)
wow, art for fun sake. I agree with Gretchen not just here but every town should find a way to implement a program like this whether it be an after school thing, a place to go for just this activity or what. We need to always encourage young creativity. Who knows what creative field something like this will spark in a child, something they may take with them to adult hood. Well done Portland.
Andee
Andee, judging from how much our girls loved this place, you're right! This was a major highlight of our time in the wonderful city of Portland; I think the girls will always remember it.
Ok, I just LOVE 'better than ipad!!!!!' This post makes me want to GO there!!! We have an awesome sitter who does so much free for all art with the kids, love it!! Did I tell you I paint their bedroom walls? SO fun!
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