Garden in Transit is a motivational art, education, and creative therapy project in which thousands of kids in schools, hospitals, and community institutions have painted vibrant flowers -- symbolizing joy, life, beauty, and inspiration -- on adhesive weatherproof panels that will be applied to the hoods, trunks or roofs of thousands of New York City taxis. Beginning in September 2007 and until year's end, New York City will be visually transformed, as the ubiquitous yellow icon becomes a mobile artistic canvas or -- "Garden in Transit."

Come September, the taxi will serve as an inspiring tribute to the capacity of kids to achieve the spectacular and millions around the city, nation and world will celebrate their achievement.

Description:
Portraits of Hope has been working with thousands of children in the Greater New York City area through sessions at hospitals, schools, after-school and youth centers. The installation of the panels will begin in September and volunteers are needed to assist in applying the painted panels onto the taxis.

You can sign up to be a volunteer for the Garden in Transit project by emailing: poh@portraitsofhope.org

To learn more please visit www.gardenintransit.org

History:
In 1995, Ed Massey and Bernie Massey founded Portraits of Hope, continuing their utilization of art and poignant visual imagery for large-scale projects of social consequence.

Developed initially as a creative therapy program for seriously ill and physically disabled children, the non-profit program has expanded to include a wide array of children and adults who participate with their schools, hospitals, after-school programs, and community institutions in high-profile, motivational art, education, and creative therapy projects which transform public landscapes and provide youngsters
with an opportunity to point with pride and say, "I did that."

Portraits of Hope projects culminate in the visual transformation of public environments and have involved everything from blimps, buildings and tugboats to airplanes and NASCAR race cars. Garden in Transit in New York City and the Long Beach Airport Control Tower Project are current Portraits of Hope projects.

To date, tens of thousands of children and adults across the United States and abroad have been involved in Portraits of Hope educational and artistic activities and projects.

Contact person: Volunteer Coordinator, (212) 216-9441, (email)

Address:

New York New York, NY 10023 (See a map)

Overall Experience   
Portraits of Hope provides a positive environment in which to broaden awareness of social issues and the role 1 person can play in making the world a better place.

I've volunteered extensively with Portraits of Hope since January through New York Cares, one of New York's largest volunteer organizations. I've worked with thousands of kids with Portraits of Hope and have witnessed the joy and world citizenship they have inspired. Through my affiliation with the organization, I've gained insight into the concerns of the city's youth and experienced their interest in and desire to effect change in the world, their first step being painting the decals to beautify their city. posted by LaCornista on August 12, 2007