Zeeland Public Schools students recently wrapped up a powerful and inspiring art project that connected them with children from around the world in a deeply personal way. Through their participation in the Memory Project, students from both Zeeland East and Zeeland West created hand-painted portraits of orphaned and disadvantaged children from other countries, many of them using oil paint for the first time.
The portraits are more than just art. They are heartfelt messages of care and connection. Once completed, each painting is hand delivered to the child it represents by the Memory Project team. For the young artists in Zeeland, it’s a chance to use their talents to make a lasting difference.
“This is one of the most meaningful projects I get to do with my students,” said Michelle Fuller, Zeeland East art teacher. “It’s not just about the painting, it’s about showing a child across the world that someone sees them, cares about them, and believes they matter.”
Students often spend hours on their portraits, proudly introducing friends to “their kid” and taking deep pride in every detail. When the video from Memory Project arrives showing the children receiving their portraits, it’s an emotional full-circle moment filled with empathy, joy, and connection for students and the school community alike.
Founded in 2004, the Memory Project has involved over 320,000 youth in 57 countries. Its mission is to promote intercultural understanding and kindness through school-based art initiatives. More information is available at www.memoryproject.org.
Zeeland Public Schools is proud to support projects that foster creativity, compassion, and a global perspective, one portrait at a time.