MALVERN, PA — National Art Honor Society students at Great Valley High School are using their artistic talent to forge global connections and offer hope to children facing hardship in Armenia through their participation in The Memory Project, an international nonprofit that pairs young artists with children living in difficult circumstances.
The Memory Project works with youth around the world who are orphaned, displaced by conflict, or experiencing other significant challenges, providing them with personalized portraits created by student artists. The Great Valley students completed their portraits in early December, ensuring the artwork would arrive in Armenia in time to be hand-delivered to the children. Each recipient shared personal details — from favorite colors to beloved hobbies — which the students incorporated into the portraits to make each piece deeply meaningful.
“The Memory Project is a way for our students to use their talents to bring joy to another child,” said Great Valley art teacher Jessica Stanhagen. She called the work an act of service that counteracts global division by connecting students with peers thousands of miles away. “My hope is that each GV student who participates understands the magnitude of a single act of kindness.”
The artistic commitment is significant. Each portrait requires upward of eight hours to complete, with students juggling the work alongside demanding academic schedules, athletics, jobs, and family responsibilities. Stanhagen praised the students’ dedication, saying their efforts reflect a desire to create happiness for someone they will likely never meet.
For the student artists, the experience is both personal and profound. Tanisha, a 12th-grade participant, said the project builds a connection that transcends distance. “It’s really meaningful because you’re connected to this person and you get to know them; we’re so far but still connected,” she said.
Since its founding, The Memory Project has delivered more than 250,000 portraits to children in over 40 countries. By contributing their work, Great Valley High School students join a global network of young artists providing comfort, affirmation, and a sense of being seen to children facing adversity around the world.
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