In 2007, when we were living in Madrid, I came across a remarkable foundation called Paint a Future, created by Dutch artist Hetty Van der Linden. Then a year later, quite by coincidence I saw this huge bus parked in the street and became intrigued and extremely inspired.
What struck me so deeply was how a simple concept was making a real difference to the lives of kids in impoverished areas using art as a catalyst for change. Everyone involved works in a volunteer capacity, with 100% of all the artwork sales going directly back to the children, to help make their dreams come true.
Here's how it works:
1. Children paint their dreams and wishes on a piece of paper, imagining that the paintbrush is a magic wand.
2. Well known fine artists from all over the world incorporate this children’s dream into their canvas. Sometimes in their own studios or sometimes invited to an Art Symposium organised in a luxury resort (invited by the owners) mostly in the country where the children are from.
3. Exhibitions are organized and paintings sold to anyone who wants to take care of the child's dream, for example paying the yearly school fees.
4. Money goes back to the children. Hetty or one of the local volunteers will take care of helping the children to realise their dreams.
Interview with Hetty Van der Linden
We asked Hetty - the mother of three grown-up children, and an artist for over ten years, whose colourful paintings of voluptuous figures, musical and dance themes have been exhibited all over the world - some questions. Here's her story about how she really brings together art, kids and artists to make a difference.
1. Tell us how Paint a Future came about, and how it makes a difference to children's lives?
In 2001, I was in Buenos Aires for an exhibition of my work, and attended a lavish dinner for art-world VIPs. Walking home in my high heels, I came across a group of street children sleeping in cardboard boxes. I stopped to talk to them, stunned to find such poverty existing so close to such wealth. Meeting them made me think that I had to do something for them, to find some way of using art to transfer money from the rich to the poor children of the world.
Back home in Amsterdam, I was invited to take part in an art project in Split. Well-known international artists were being invited to visit a children’s home in former Yugoslavia and produce works of art to sell. The money would be used to improve the living conditions of children who had suffered terrible hardship and abuse during the war. I jumped at the chance.
The children were wonderful, and of course, they were very interested in painting, and all wanted to join in with me. So I started to add their small paintings to my big canvas, painting around them to make a collage. Then I got the idea of making the painting into a lithograph, and selling prints in a limited edition of 50 – this would raise more money than just selling a single painting. It also means that the children are contributing to their own future – the money they raise through their own work shows them that they can do something to make their lives better. It’s very empowering for them.
I remember Duska, a 12 year-old girl, who was painting with me. She produced a lovely, but very dark and gloomy picture. So I said to her, this is your past, now paint your future. And she did a second picture with a lovely house, trees and a family – a happy, hopeful picture.
This year I found out that Duska had just had her second child, the dream of a family came true and we helped her to have her lovely house.
2. When working with kids, in poor and remote places around the world, how does the art making process unfold?
I give them a paintbrush and tell them it is a magic wand, close your eyes and dream how you see yourself in the future, and then they paint it.
3. What are some of the magical moments you have experienced interacting creatively with kids on your travels?
4. What dreams have you helped make come true through Paint a Future?
Houses, hearing aids, university studies, drivers' license for tractors and buses, food, chickens, pigs, buckets, hairdressing studio, water, medical aid, helped children to quit drugs and to help build schools.
5. Your message to mini budding artists (and their parents)?
If you only dream, it stays in your head. When you write it on paper and put it in a bottle it can travel over the oceans and can be found by someone. If you paint it, put your dream on a piece of paper and in comes into hands of famous artists it has a chance to reach the person that can afford to hang the painting in thier house, and help you to realize the dream.
