Art Show Celebrates Creative Achievements
of Children with Special Needs
Special exhibit features artwork by children and raises funds for Jill’s House, a Washington, DC, non-profit that celebrates and supports children with special needs and their families.
Members of Congress and distinguished guests donating original artwork to benefit Jill’s House.
Vienna, VA, April 17, 2012 – On April 19, Touchstone Galleries in Washington, DC, will host Wonderfully Made: An Art Show to Benefit Jill’s House. Founded in 2010, Jill’s House celebrates children with special needs and provides respite, renewal, and peace of mind to their families through overnight programs and day camps. The exhibit will feature original artwork created by the children who benefit from the unique services of Jill’s House. All artwork will be for sale and 100% of funds raised will benefit Jill’s House.
The Wonderfully Made exhibit is a part of the EmpowerArt Program created by Bear Givers, a New York-based organization that provides children in need with opportunities to feel the pride and joy of engaging in acts of kindness and generosity. The EmpowerArt Program enables children with special needs to express their creativity in art shows that benefit their schools, hospitals, and programs.
The Wonderfully Made show is sponsored by the Richard & Mary Fink Family Foundation and Koch Industries, Inc. “We are very proud to host this empowering event on behalf of Jill’s House and we are extremely grateful to Richard and Mary Fink and family and Koch Industries, Inc., for making this event possible,” says Joseph Sprung, founder of Bear Givers.
Wonderfully Made will celebrate the children and their artwork. “The children will be the stars of the evening,” explains Diane Lempert, president of Bear Givers. “Seeing their artwork framed, displayed, admired, and sold will give the children an exceptional sense of accomplishment and confidence.”
The show is a special opportunity for Jill’s House. “For many of our children, having their artwork showcased like this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and means so much to them and their families. Many do not stop to find beauty in the children we serve, or in the work of their hands. We applaud the generosity of spirit and kindness of heart that Bear Givers, the Fink Family and Koch Industries have shown in going out of their way to find and highlight this beauty. We are delighted to share the spirit, creativity, and joy expressed through the artwork of the special children we serve at Jill’s House,” says Denise Daffron, vice president of advancement at Jill’s House.
Wonderfully Made is also an occasion for the Washington, DC, community to support Jill’s House as government leaders, professional artists, and celebrities were invited to create and donate a work of art to be displayed and sold for the benefit of Jill’s House.
“We are proud to be partnering with Jill’s House and Bear Givers for the Wonderfully Made exhibit,” says Richard Fink, the event sponsor. “Jill’s House is a true leader in supporting families with special needs children who often feel a great sense of isolation. Wonderfully Made is a great way for the Jill’s House family to celebrate and showcase their unique mission to the community.”
What: Wonderfully Made, An Art Show to Benefit Jill’s House
Sponsored by Richard & Mary Fink Family Foundation and Koch Industries, Inc.
100% of the proceeds will benefit Jill’s House.
When: Thursday, April 19, 2012, from 5:30-8:00 pm
Where: Touchstone Gallery, 901 New York Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20001
Contact: Diane Lempert, diane@beargivers.org, Phone 212.224.0140, or
Melanie Celano, melanie.celano@jillshouse.org, Phone 703.639.5690
About Bear Givers
Bear Givers is dedicated to bringing joy to the lives of children in need. Through hospital visits and school programs, this innovative non-profit touches the lives of children and their families with a personal visit and the gift of a soft, cuddly teddy bear. Bear Givers also offers programs that enable special needs children to become givers and experience the thrill and pride of bringing happiness to others. Bear Givers programs include Empowerment, EmpowerArt, Hospital Visits, and Teddy Bear Clinics. For more information, visit beargivers.org.
About Jill’s House
Opened in 2010, Jill’s House celebrates special children and provides respite, renewal, and peace of mind to their families through overnight programs and day camps. Jill’s House offers an innovative 42,000-square-foot, 45-bed respite resort for children ages 6 to 17 with intellectual disabilities and their siblings. Receiving no direct state or federal funding, Jill’s House was created and is maintained through individual donations and foundation grants. To find out more, visit jillshouse.org or follow us at facebook.com/jillshouse.org.
