Chris Emmanuel’s “Portraits for Charity 2012” launched

Well known artist, writer and inspirational speaker Chris Emmanuel has launched a charity project to assist two established children’s organization. “Portraits for Charity 2012” was launched in April and will see funds raised from the sale of each of his painting going to either the Liberty Children’s Home or Dorothy Menzies Child Care Center.

In speaking to The San Pedro Sun, Emmanuel outlined how the concept of the charity started.  Emmanuel explained that he was inspired when a child would stop by his art gallery, peep through the show glass and marvel at his paintings each day as she would make her way home from school. Emmanuel came up with a concept where he could paint a portrait per month of a child or a pet. The painting will then be commissioned by members of the public for a minimum donation of $150. The monetary donation would go to the any of the two charity organization while the portrait goes to the child that is featured at the end of the year. “I am glad for this opportunity to give back to the children of Belize. This project is my way of giving back to my community. It is also an opportunity to celebrate the children while helping a charitable organization,” said Emmanuel.

The project has a list of requirements which is as follows:

• The person commissioning the work must live in San Pedro and allow the painting to be displayed at an exhibit if requested at the end of the year.
• All children’s charity receipts will be on display beside the portraits at the exhibition.
• Please submit your name, a photo to be painted and contribution amount to Chris Emmanuel’s gallery is located at the Sunbreeze Hotel, submission must be made no later than the 15^th of the month.
• If more than one person submits, all names will go into a drawing.  You will be notified if your submission is chosen.  If your name is not chosen, you will be placed in the next months’ drawing, unless you notify Chris that you no longer want to make the donation.

Donations must be made to the Liberty Children’s Home in Ladyville, Belize or the Dorothy Menzies Child Care Center at the corner of St. Thomas & 19th Street in Belize City, Belize.

The monthly oil portrait will be in a standard size of 12 inches by 16 inches and available for display. For the month of April, Emmanuel decided to depict a six-year-old student from the San Pedro Roman Catholic School, S’Lyn O’Brien. Emmanuel explained that O’Brien was the child that inspired him to start the charitable project. He also painted a portrait of a puppy that reminds him of one of his childhood pets. For any further information regarding the charitable project, you can contact Chris Emmanuel or Beth Hart at Sunbreeze Hotel.