Down the hallway leading from NorthPark’s NorthCourt to the CenterPark Garden is a row of columns previewing just a smattering of the “Art For Advocacy” artwork that will go on the block for the Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center. The pieces range from the more traditional to the most modern showcasing area artists’ talents and generosity.
As longtime participating artist Carmen Menza explained, “I’ve been a part of Art for Advocacy since the first event and am dedicated to the support that [DCAC] provides for children and families in this region. The work they do is so very important for our community, and I am both humbled and honored to donate to them as it means that a child will heal from abuse, neglect and emotional instability. I alone cannot erase the pain and trauma that a child has experienced, but I do know that together, we can heal precious lives.”
But among the oils on canvas, the metal sculptures and mixed media in the preview lineup, there is one piece — “Hope Eternal” — with a backstory that surprised even the artist himself.
It was a year ago when cosmetic surgeon Dr. Sam Lam was the event’s honorary co-chair and took home an oil and acrylic on canvas painted by the DCAC children. He decided to take on what he described as “one of my most ambitious in scale, effort and creativity, which took me three months and over 200 hours to complete and just made it for the June 15 deadline to be considered for NorthPark viewing.”
Using the children’s 10′ x 5′, two-panel artwork as the backdrop, Dr. Sam carefully and lovingly transformed it into a scene featuring two young children surrounded by 65 birds, 35 animals, 135 flowers and “a lot of fruits, leaves and other elements.”
Ironically, in tackling this undertaking, he “already had conceived this project a year ago with the title in mind and did not know that this year’s theme was ‘Hope’ with the tagline, ‘Paint me a picture of Hope,’ so it is quite fitting that my painting captures the idea of hope.”
The artwork is so versatile. It can be hung as two companion pieces or as a combined diptych.
Dr. Lam’s work from the heart is just one of more than 70 works of original art that will highlight the seated dinner co-chaired by Adriane Crosland, Megan Filgo and Kacy Tolleson and hosted by Stephanie and John Roberts at 8000 Ambassador Row. Presented by Labora, Art For Advocacy will provide funds to “improve the lives of abused children in Dallas County and to provide national leadership on child abuse issues.”
Last year’s event raised more than $1,450,000, which provided
- 1,450 children with comprehensive, evidence-based, trauma-informed therapy at no cost to their families.
- 5,800 forensic interviews, the first step in a child’s journey at DCAC, so they only have to tell their story once.
- 7,540 families with urgent needs created by abuse such as diapers, toiletries and clothing.
The few remaining sponsorship opportunities are available here. The NorthPark preview is free for the viewing until Monday, September 11, when the collection departs to join the rest of the pieces up for bid on Saturday, September 16.