Some of the finest photographers in Oklahoma participate in the annual Waiting Child Heart Gallery – two of which are from Cushing.
Tom and Lynda Cummings each have a photograph in this year’s display. While it is the first time for Lynda, Tom has been volunteering his talent for three years now.
“We both enjoyed the experience interacting with the kids,” Tom said. “It is a worthwhile project and a fascinating exhibit.”
The exhibit features 100 children who are considered “hard to adopt,” with the hope that the faces will touch hearts and help them find permanent homes.
The Waiting Child Heart Gallery will open with a children’s party honoring the children who are a part of the exhibit on Sept. 14th at The Oklahoma Aquarium, in Tulsa. The beautiful black and white images of the Children will then move to the Tulas State Fair, where they will be found at the NEWSChannel 8 booth on the main floor of Expo Square. Department of Human Services case workers will be on hand at the State Fair to answer any questions. The exhibit then tours the state of Oklahoma for one year.
According to Tom, each photographer meets with the foster family and the assigned child or children (in the case of siblings) and then do a series of photographs. Then the photographer selects one and writes a short piece about the child/children and their experience photographing them. The images are 11″ x 16″ and framed and displayed on an easel, along with the written piece. There is a total of 50 images in the exhibit.
This is the fourth production of “Waiting Child Heart Gallery” produced in Oklahoma. The last three series toured Oklahoma in 2002, 2004 and 2006 resulted in over 100 of the featured children being adopted with many more inquiries for adoption.
The sponsors of this year’s exhibit are Wendy’s Wonderful Kids, the Oklahoma Department of Human Services and KYUL-TV. For more information call 918-445-9309 or 918-284-4888.
To see Lynda Cummings’ photo, click on the Lifestyle’s page of this website.
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