Adoption

The Heart Gallery
Photography exhibit showcases childrenavailable for adoption.

A trip to an art gallery can be a magical experience, one that you carry with you for the rest of your life. But if you enter the Heart Gallery, you just might end up with the “art” as part of the family.

The Heart Gallery features unique and stirring portraits of children eager to be adopted. Started in Santa Fe, New Mexico, the concept of the Heart Gallery was well received and spread quickly across the United States. Today there are between 60-70 exhibits nationwide, including Tampa.

The Tampa exhibit, which is slated to open again in February 2006 at the Children’s Board, with follow-up engagements at WestShore Plaza, University Square Mall, and two local churches, will feature approximately 100 or more children. The exhibit will also be the only one in the country featuring an auditory component; so potential parents may have the option hear the child speak.

“The photographs are so compelling,” notes Melissa Twomey, gallery coordinator for the Tampa show. According to Melissa, the photographers all volunteer their time and that the Heart Gallery is really a “community effort.” As of the writing of this article, 68 children had been adopted this year, which is great news, as the Heart Gallery typically focuses on older children who are more difficult to place.

So how does the Heart Gallery work? For children, participation is completely voluntary. Children decide if they’ll be involved and at what level. They also determine if they want an audio component included with their portrait. For potential parents, the process just begins when they visit the show and identify a child that they’re interested in adopting. After that, they can attend an orientation to learn more about qualifying to be an adoptive parent. Parents can also visit www.heartgallerytampabay.org for more information.

But even if visitors who don’t adopt, they can make a huge difference in the lives of these children. “There is so much they can do to help these children,” observes Twomey who adds that the organization welcomes individuals interested in offering foster care, serving as a tutor or mentor, offering job training, or donating clothes, school supplies, or toys.

Visit www.heartgallerytampabay.org to learn more.