OCS Art Students Build Global Connections Through The Memory Project

In the fall, art students at Onondaga Central Schools created 14 portraits of Armenian children as part of The Memory Project. In January, they experienced firsthand the joy as the Armenian students received their gifts.  

Now in their 14th year of participation, Mrs. Passetti’s Painting & Drawing I and Painting & Drawing II art students draw faces from a different part of the world, creating something meaningful and memorable for others. The portraits are sent off to the partner country (this year, Armenia). OCS has previously created portraits for children in Sierra Leone, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Ethiopia, Bolivia, Syrian refugee camps, the Philippines, Nigeria, and India. 

“My students always learn a lot artistically when they are working on these portraits, and then it’s wonderful to see their faces and watch their reactions when we get the delivery video from the country we were partnered with,” Mrs. Passetti said. “The project has a very positive impact on everyone who is involved.” 

OCS Senior Carolyn Andino shared, "Working on this project was such a joy: to be able to combine my love and passion for art with bringing joy to our fellow students. Even though they may be hundreds of miles away, connections were built between each and every one of us. The world needs more smiles like the ones we got to know."

In the delivery video, the Armenian students sang, danced, and expressed their gratitude for receiving the artwork and for forging new friendships across the world. One student in the video said, “I am so happy. You are a miracle, my friends! You made such beautiful artwork.” 

Started in 2004, The Memory Project aims to foster cross-border kindness and friendship through art. It’s a unique project in which art students create portraits of children and teens in other countries to promote intercultural understanding. The nonprofit organization pairs U.S. schools with those in other countries and handles the delivery of the complete artwork. The student artists receive photos of kids waiting for art and create portraits of them, which are delivered to the kids as keepsakes.

The Memory Project organizers said, "Most of the children are living in very rural areas, so the experience of receiving such personal gifts from youth on the other side of the world was wonderfully new and exciting for them. They felt honored, proud, and grateful for what you created, and they were amazed that people they didn't know would spend so much time portraying them as works of art. As you will see, they danced, sang, and opened their hearts to you in return." 

For students at OCS and in Armenia, the experience was a reminder that art has the power to connect, no matter the distance. 

Onondaga’s presentation, video, and slideshow of artwork are available here.

More information on the project is available at MemoryProject.org.