Rollins Showcases Art by Children from Coalition for the Homeless

February 7, 2008

Rollins students and the Office of Student Involvement and Leadership (OSIL) recently presented the opening of a new art exhibit in the Cornell Campus Center’s Darden Lounge. It’s part of a program to bring art by students to campus, which began three years ago. The display, “Learn Your ABC’s,” features artwork made by children of the Art By Coalition Children (ABC) program, from the Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida.

Jerrid Kalakay, assistant director in the Office of Student Involvement and Leadership, said OSIL is working to create meaningful experiences that help all students become more involved and successful in their development. “Our goal is to make the Campus Center really thought of as the center, the living room of campus,” Kalakay said. “The projects are student run and generated because we are trying to expand to help Rollins become a community on and off campus, with services and opportunities for faculty and students.” Each month this spring, a new art show will be on display.

A group of students learned about the ABCs program upon contacting the Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida. The program is a traveling art display. Established in 2003, ABCs brings professional artists to the Coalition for six to eight weeks to help the kids create artwork.

About 45 pieces in mediums such as photography, sculpture and paintings created by children ranging in age from 5 to 17 are on display at Rollins. The display is free and open to the public. The pieces will be for sale at the Home and Garden Show March 7-9 at the Orange County Convention Center.