“Art Autumn”
Mary C. Haddad
Gallery Price: $800

Mary C. Haddad began her art photography career at age 9 in Queens, New York with a candid bride shot using floating paper hearts thrown by her younger cousins. The photo taken with a “Brownie” camera became the bride’s favorite portrait.
Much of her current Fantasy in Nature, Floral and Sunset series are shot on the family property in Songwood. The prints are made of conservation ink, paper and glass. Many can be found in various publications, galleries and homes on the East Coast.
This piece was generously donated by the Artist.

“I Find Wisdom From My Past”
Clayton Singleton
Gallery Price: $900

Clayton Singleton is the author of Dream an Awesome Dream, Escape from Freedom, Continued Evolution: the Written Spoken Word Volume I, The Other Side of the Sun, and the upcoming Walking On Paper: Continued Evolution Vol. II. He has won numerous awards including Best in Show in juried and group exhibitions. His work is held in collections in the United States, London, Belgium, New Zealand and Bolivia. He was commissioned by The Virginia Opera to design sets for Porgy and Bess and Freedom’s Journey. Clayton has exhibited work in numerous local exhibitions, most recently at Seldon Arcade in downtown Norfolk. Clayton currently teaches K-12 visual arts at Lake Taylor High School where he has won Teacher of the Year three times (once respectively at elementary, middle and high school), two Inspiration Awards, and three School Bell awards. He also assisted in rewriting the visual arts curriculum for Norfolk Public Schools and Newport News Public Schools.
This piece was generously donated by the Artist.

“Landscape”
George Tussing
Gallery Price: $1000

George Tussing studied aesthetics at The Barnes Foundation, Merion, Pennslyvania and was a painting major at The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia. He received his M.A. in Art History at The University of Maryland. He recently retired as an associate professor of art at Tidewater Community College, Visual Arts Center in Portsmouth, Virginia. He is a new resident artist at the d’ART center and is painting full time.
This piece was generously donated by the Artist.

“Provence Landscape”
Jean Peacock
Gallery Price: $800

Jean Peacock had her first one-woman exhibition at the Wells Gallery in Virginia Beach in 1986. Six more were to follow. She continues to exhibit in juried exhibitions throughout the Hampton Roads area. Jean has studied art at Hollins College, UNC Chapel Hill, VCU, Vermont Studio School and the Grande Chaumiere in Paris, France. She lives in Olde Towne Portsmouth with her artist husband and two dogs.
Jean exhibits her work and has a studio at Norfolk’s d’ART Center.
This piece was generously donated by the Artist.

“Chomdley Ladies on Vacation”
Richard Nickel
Gallery Price: $500

Richard Nickel, originally of Rochester, NY, received his Master of Fine Arts in Ceramics from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. In the fall of 2000 he began teaching Art Education and Ceramics at Valley City University in North Dakota, and in 2002 he began teaching at Old Dominion University as the Art Education Program Director and the Ceramics Program Director. Richard is an active artist and educator. He is currently preparing for two solo
exhibitions for the summer and fall at Mayer Fine art Gallery in Norfolk and The Contemporary Art Center in Virginia Beach.
This piece was generously donated by the Artist.

“Marble Table and Chairs”
Ron Jensen
Gallery Price: $1,200

Ron Jensen paints full time at his studio in Hampton, Virginia. Using an expressionistic style, he enjoys bright colors and semi-abstract shapes. Paintings are usually done on a toned, stretched canvas using a limited palette. Oils are placed on canvas using a “wet on wet” technique, often without mixing colors. He has painted for forty years and grew up on a North Dakota farm where the family sat through many winter storms doing arts and crafts. Ron graduated from the University of North Dakota as a mechanical engineer. He lives in Hampton, Virginia, and routinely exhibits his work at local museums and galleries and has had several one-man shows. He currently shows at Vincent Hester Gallery, Iris Studio, Riverview Gallery, Blue Skies, Gallery on the York, Art Works in Richmond, and his home studio by appointment.
This piece was generously donated by the Artist.

“Dancing Partners”
Lorraine Fink
Gallery Price: $600

Lorraine Fink is a painter and printmaker who has been showing in the area for over 40 years. She has a Bachelors and Masters degree in fine arts from ODU. She has exhibited in over 30 one-woman shows and in numerous juried and invitational exhibitions.
This piece was generously donated by the Artist.

“Spring Break”
Matthew Fine
Gallery Price: $2,200

Sand Cast Glass and Travertine Matthew grew up making sandcastles at the Virginia Beach ocean front. For Matthew, this piece is about the ocean meeting the horizon. Matthew earned his BA in history from the University of Richmond, before completing his MFA in Sculpture at the University of Georgia, Athens in 1990. Since then, Fine has been a prominent figure on the art scene, both locally and throughout the country. He has exhibited in galleries and at art fairs including: The American Craft Council Exhibitions, the Coconut Grove Arts Festival and the Ann Arbor Art Fair. About his work, Matthew Fine explains: “Inspired by the interaction of hot cast glass and granite, my work explores their juxtaposition.”
This piece was generously donated by the Artist.

“Oaks in Bloom”
Burt Crapo
Gallery Price: $600

As long as he can remember Burt has owned a camera of one type or another. Burt bought his first 35mm camera as a young Airman in the US Air Force in 1979. Burt has displayed his work in Borders bookstores in Monterey, CA, had a gallery show at the Skyline Art Gallery in Pacific Grove, CA, and been the subject of a full-page article written in the Monterey Herald. He has his work posted on several international art web sites to include Sane Society, jamuse and the Saatchi Gallery in London. Recently he was invited to display his work on the Behance Network. He has written and taught a course in photography fundamentals and is currently developing a course in macro photography. Burt is a graduate of the New York Institute of Photography and has studied photography under Doug Steakley, award-winning photographer.

This piece was generously donated by the Artist.

“Daylight Savings”
Marshera, Age 13

“The flower is about to close up and winter is about to come.
This is the last flower.”

Marshera was living with her grandmother while her mother tried to find a place for their whole family to be together. When her mom came to Haven House and then was accepted into Morgan Place Transitional Housing, the whole family was finally reunited. By that time, Marshera was an angry young child who didn’t think much of rules or school. But recently, Marshera has made a complete turnaround, showing us that “determination and hard work pay off.” After a hard stint in summer school, she advanced to the next grade, and that success has been a huge boost to her self esteem. Marshera is intelligent, outgoing and extremely creative. She always has a comment or a perception of the world that no one in the room is expecting. Marshera is excited about one day exiting ForKids and having a house for her entire family.

Two Sleeping Girls
Jeannette, Age 16

“This is me and my friend relaxing. We’re sleeping surrounded by dreaming colors.”

This is Jeannette’s second year as a Children’s Art Auction Artist. Jeannette and her mother have been living at Dillon Place for a year. Her mother struggles with severe mental illness and our staff are helping Jeannette find her place in a world that isn’t defined by her mother. Last summer, through the efforts of ForKids, Jeannette went away to Camp Chanco on the James where she made friends she still contacts. She loved every minute at camp and cannot wait to return this year. She will also be returning to Horizons day camp as a Junior Counselor. Jeannette is a freshman at Maury High School where she is on the honor roll and taking Japanese. For her future plans, Jeannette hopes to attend nursing school.

“The Locked-In Donut”
Markeira, Age 11

“There was a picnic and the donut rolled away and it got locked in the fence.”

Living with three generations and eight children under one roof could be really challenging, but Markeira is just glad to have her family back together again. She and her siblings were separated as her family struggled with homelessness. Now reunited, they are proud of their hard-working mom, who is learning to make better choices after years of relationships that descended into domestic violence. An outspoken and caring eleven-year-old with a contagious laugh, Markeira is the spokeswoman for all her peers at Morgan Place, ForKids’ transitional housing program. She speaks her mind and is always the first to lend a hand when help is needed. Markeira has now found her inner dancer after starting a hip-hop class last Fall, and she is excelling in dance and school.

“The Best Day”
Children of ForKids’ Suffolk House
Quote by Cevaar, 11

“Just look at it! You’ve got butterflies, people, flowers and pink clouds. You’ve got kids who are happy,
so it’s the best day!”

In November 2008 ForKids began operating the Suffolk House
family shelter serving Suffolk, Isle of Wight, Franklin and Southampton County. Over the last 18 months we have been building our tutoring and afterschool programs in Suffolk. The children are thriving and collaborated to produce this
beautiful art.

“The Joyful Hands”
Screen Print by ForKids kids
Quotes by Markeira, 11 and Asia, 14

“There were a lot of us with a lot of hands, maybe 12 or 13 of us, because we’re all friends.”
“This is filled with happiness because we’re
good, good friends.”
These ForKids teens have spent months and even years
together now in our Hot Meals and Homework program.
Their common experience has become an unbreakable
bond that will surely last a lifetime.

“Whale in a Storm”
Nautica, Age 12

“A whale doesn’t care what’s happening above the water even in a storm!”

Nautica lives with her grandmother because her mother has been in jail for years. Along with their grandmother, she and her brother started with ForKids at Haven House. During her time with ForKids, Nautica has gone from a quiet, shy and timid child to a noisy, sociable young girl. Nautica excels in Science and Reading and she received the Accelerated Reader Award while she resided at Haven House. Nautica and her family now reside in their own home in Norfolk and her family continues to receive services through ForKids’ In-Home program. That connection has been important to Nautica as she faces her mom’s recent release from jail and the tremendous impact that will have on her life.

“My Flower House”
Angel, Age 7

“I drew a house, flowers, and a trampoline. It’s a cute, pink house and I love my house. I would like to live in it.”

The youngest of nine children, Angel is an adorable little girl who has lived through a lot in her seven years. Domestic violence has played too big a role in her family’s life and her father is in jail. Her family connected with ForKids through our In-Home services and now she attends Hot Meals and Homework. Angel is in second grade and loves to read. Her favorite books are Junie B. Jones and Cinderella. Like Cinderella, she dreams of living in a beautiful pink house. When asked for a secret about herself, she grins and says,
“I’m cute.”

“Imagine”
Asia, Age 14

“This is something that came to mind when I was bored.”

Asia lived with her dad’s girlfriend when her seven siblings were split apart due to the family’s homelessness. She is still pretty angry about being left behind and she’s working with our children’s therapist to deal with her feelings about her family’s complicated past. Nevertheless, Asia is an energetic young lady who loves to make her friends laugh. She enjoys playing basketball, dancing and standing out in a crowd.

“How Does My Garden Grow?”
Charitye, Age 10

“I felt excited painting this and I worked really hard. It is a picture of people planting stuff in a garden.
I think it will grow.”

Charitye came to Suffolk House, ForKids’ emergency shelter in Western Tidewater, with her mom and dad and five brothers and sisters. She is a cheerful, quiet girl. She is in the fourth grade and her favorite subject is Science.Charitye’s grades were a little low when the family was moving around a lot, but with the help of the tutors at Suffolk House her grades have improved. Charitye likes to play games and work on the computer. Her family now lives in downtown
Suffolk near Suffolk House.

“Hand in Hand”
Emmanuel, Age 12

“Hands were the first thing that came to mind to paint because hands are for helping. I put a lot into this.
Someone will like it.”

Emmanuel has siblings ranging in age from one to 23! His dad is a missionary who also works at Wal-Mart, and their family became homeless when their debt got out of hand. They received rental assistance and budget counseling, and the family now lives in downtown Suffolk. Emmanuel says he used to be shy before living at Suffolk House, but he doesn’t feel shy anymore. He is in the sixth grade and his favorite subject is English. Emmanuel loves to draw, particularly pictures of Michael Jackson.

"Beauty"

Christian, Age 15
Quote by Lolita, Age 10

"A lovely giant flower... you can't see the rest of the flower. And look at the sprinkles; it's beautiful."

Christian is a quiet teen who lived at ForKids' Suffolk House this year. She is in the 10th Grade and her favorite subject is History. Christian does well in school and enjoyed the time with her tutors at Suffolk House. Her favorite activities are drawing, working on the computer and hanging out with her friends and family. She is a typical 15 year old girl!