Visit the small, but mighty,
Studio 4 of
Workhouse Arts Center
and you will find gallery walls overtaken by over 1,300 brown paper
lunch bags. The bags can only mean one thing. The 2nd Annual Have a
Heart Project--an artistic twist on the common (and vital) food
drive--is underway. This artistic venture, organized by
The Art Monkeys, benefits Food for Others, Inc., the largest distributor of free food directly to people in need in Northern Virginia.
Last year's Have a Heart Project, garnered considerable attention
from local media and was the subject of a documentary by young
filmmaker, Makeda Thomas. The exhibit challenged the community to help
Studio 4 artists fill an "empty kitchen" art installation and
successfully raised over 750 lbs. of non-perishable food for Food for
Others during its month-long run.
This year's installation opened to the public on Wednesday, February
6, 2013. Studio 4's exhibit space has been transformed by 1,325 empty
lunch bags featuring original art works created by an array of resident
and guest artists. Each of the unique lunch bag works of art in the
exhibit can be obtained by making a $10 donation, 100% of which will
benefit Food for Others. As the artists replace each sold piece of art
with food purchased with the donation, the installation will continually
evolve throughout the gallery. An opening reception will take place on
Saturday, February 9, from 6 to 9pm, in Studio 4 (Building W-4) of the
Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton, VA.
"This year's exhibit is a great opportunity for new and seasoned
collectors alike to get their hands on original art at an incredibly low
price while making a difference." says participating artist and
co-organizer MG Stout.
The public can also be a part of this exciting art installation to
help Northern Virginians in need by donating canned or non-perishable
food items during Studio 4's normal business hours: Wednesday to
Saturday from 11 am - 7 pm, and Sunday from noon - 5 pm. Donations will
be welcome through the exhibit's run, Wednesday, February 6 - Sunday,
March 3, 2013.
