Several Darlington students, faculty and an alumna will be featured as a part of the second annual Rome Community HeART Project next month.
Senior Rizwaan Dharsey, sophomore Tate Morgan, freshman Maddie Sabourin, seventh-grader Anne Scott Smith, fifth-grader Kathleen Perkins, faculty members Jennifer Moore and Kathy O'Mara, and alumna Margaret Hjort ('11) were chosen to cover large cement hearts in the medium of their choice in celebration of National Heart Month in February. The artists will use their work in an effort to convey a message of heart health awareness in the community.
"We are so excited about our group of artists this year," said Megan Gates Watters ('97), HeART Project chairperson. "We have talented high school students, enthusiastic groups from community organizations, and seasoned professional artists. It's going to be fun to see what heart health means to them."
As a collaboration between the Rome Area Council for the Arts (RACA) and Redmond Regional Medical Center, the Rome Community HeART Project will showcase a total of 15 cement hearts throughout the Downtown Rome area.
"We are thrilled to have some of the talented members of the Darlington Community highlighted as a part of this month-long outdoor exhibition," said Kim Tunnell, Darlington's director of fine arts. "How appropriate to combine heart health and the arts, two very important things that contribute to our quality of life."
The HeART project began last year with a total of 10 artists and 10 hearts, and continues to receive praise, piquing the interest of local citizens and visitors.
"We love to find ways to incorporate art into all facets of life," said Emily Hjort, RACA president. "This project allows RACA an opportunity to promote an important cause and add some intrigue to our public art downtown."
The community is encouraged to visit, take pictures, and enjoy each heart throughout the month of February. This year citizens can watch the hearts' progress on Instagram by accessing the Rome Area Council for the Arts @RomeArts.
For more information about the HeART project, click here.
