The FAÇeADE Project – A portrait of diversity
The FAÇeADE Project – A portrait of diversity
One of the most exciting things about living in South Florida is our diversity. We have a full spectrum of skin tones, culture, and language from all over the United States and the world. Our playground of culture and language thrives on our differences. We are a portrait of diversity.
This is the perfect place to launch the FAÇeADE Project.
The FAÇeADE Project’s mission is to understand our community through portraiture. Each portrait requires at least three hours of precious time. I observe and paint you from life while recording discussions about your life.
I started The FAÇeADE Project at St. Mary Magdalene Episcopal Church. Our Coral Springs congregation is the melting pot of South Florida. We are a strong community that represents our local diversity. A portrait of diversity.
I was dying to paint these people. At 10:30am the light was perfect!
In 2018, we lost Carmen Schentrup at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School murders. She was almost 16…we watched her grow up. Shortly thereafter we lost our beloved rector. We had been through a lot.
Small group discussions were our therapy. We met in groups to discuss our feelings about how to move forward as a community. I discovered that I never had the chance to really get to know the people I spoke with every week. I never had the time to look past their façades. Taking the time to listen to their story opened my eyes.
Portraiture was once a luxury for the affluent – to flash power and status. These are portraits of ordinary people. These people never thought they would be sitting for an artist’s portrait. Their stories are amazing. A portrait of diversity.
The size of each oil painting on linen is 20 x 24″. The power of our communal diversity is stronger when the work hangs together. Our unique interlocking pieces fit together like a jigsaw puzzle. We are so much more powerful together. A portrait of diversity.
The Japanese philosophy of IKIGAI inspired a list of suggested topics of conversation. IKIGAI is the intersection of your life when you are at your best. That sweet spot when you love what you do, what you are good at doing, what makes you money, and what helps the world.
