High hopes and high fashion strutted their stuff at the recent MD
Anderson Children's Art Project 2011 Holiday Collection kickoff
celebration at The Galleria in Houston.
It was Simon Fashion Now
Week at The Galleria and the Children's Art Project joined in to
introduce its new holiday line of cards and gifts.
On this day,
however, the designers of the Children's Art Project products took
center stage. Thirteen young current and former cancer patients did
their part to highlight the Children's Art Project and National
Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
Each designer was introduced
by a local media personality before receiving a trophy and then making
the traditional walk down the runway to show off their award. The
audience learned a little about each designer, whose interests range
from playing in the school band, to video games to one young lady who
explained that she likes to create fancy fingernail designs and bottle
cap bracelets.
Award-winning artists
Emily Freeman
sported a fashionable soft green chapeau that she brought back as a
souvenir from her Make-A-Wish trip to Paris. Emily, who was presented
with the Autumn Wonder Award for her beautiful Autumn Tree design, was
eager to express her thanks to the Children's Art Project for its
support during her treatment.
Bandar, who created the artwork for the May page in CAP's 2012 calendar, uses crutches to make his way around, and gamely used them as he came down the runway.
Emily Garcia, now age 19, received the Frank Lockwood Foundation Award for Lifetime Achievement. This talented young artist achieved a record with nine designs in the 2011 Holiday Collection, more than any artist has ever had in a single Children's Art Project collection.
Not only an artist, Emily is also interested in drama and had the opportunity to participate in a drama program this summer with the New York Film Academy-Disney.
No cold feet here
Although the event was held on The Galleria ice rink, no one got cold feet. The young CAP designers were proud to be recognized, and the products based on their artwork were on display.
From traditional holiday cards, to Christmas ornaments, note cards and note pads, guests were able to get early ideas for all their holiday shopping. This year, some new products such as flower magnets and travel and tote bags are included in the collection.
The project is proud to say that it offers something for everyone. This kickoff celebration means that the first Children's Art Project catalogs are in the mail and the holiday displays in area grocery and other small retail stores will not be far behind.
Sale proceeds from Children's Art Project items are returned to fund summer camps, college scholarships, an annual rehabilitative ski trip and other programs.
You can help the Children's Art Project make life better for children with cancer by ordering online at www.childrensart.org or by phone at 1-800-231-1580.
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