OLYMPIA -- The nationally recognized Washington state Heart Gallery begins its third year with a premiere showing March 8 at the Center for Community Health in Vancouver.

The Heart Gallery exhibit includes photographic portraits of more than 45 Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) clients - children, teens, adults, families and seniors – showcasing the work of 22 photographers from around the state.

The exhibit’s striking images tell the stories of people who need support and encouragement and of those who have successfully found a family and home to call their own.

The Vancouver premiere is scheduled for 4:30 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, March 8, at the Center for Community Health, 1601 E. Fourth Plain Blvd. A program begins at 5:30 in Room 201.

The exhibit can be viewed from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, March 1 through April 19. The show will move to the Puyallup Spring Fair from April 21 through the 23rd.

Since it opened in 2004, the Heart Gallery has been featured in Seattle, Tacoma, Spokane, Olympia, Puyallup, SeaTac and Everett. The project has toured 20 venues with an additional six venues scheduled in 2006. More than 100 different client portraits have been displayed and 38 photographers have participated.

Statistics from the Clark County area highlight the need illustrated in the Heart Gallery.

• Statewide 257 children are in need of adoption
• 200 youth in Vancouver want mentors, great need for male mentors
• 189 persons with disabilities are in between jobs or waiting for employment opportunities

Successes from the 2004 and 2005 Heart Gallery displays include:

• 12 of 21 featured children have been adopted
• 27 new families asked to become adoptive families for children
• 37 people asked to become mentors for at-risk teens
• 24 new families asked to become foster families for children
• 20 new volunteers asked to help seniors or adults with disabilities

The Heart Gallery is available online.

Questions or comments about the project can be directed to: Samantha Barker, DSHS Aging and Disability Services Administration 1-800-422-3263 barkesj@dshs.wa.gov

Sponsors:

• Washington State Department of Social   & Health Services
• Washington State Mentoring Partnership
• The Evergreen State College Photography Department
• Doops Copy Tech
• Puyallup Fair (Spring and Fall)
• Children's Museum of Tacoma

Photographers:

• Elizabeth Forbes Armstrong
• Alexa Ayubi  
• Doreen Beers-Michel
• Phillip Brugalette
• Rick Carroll
• Erin Cusick
• Dean Davis 
• Steve Davis
• Stefanie Felix
• Bill France
• Ira Gardner
• Susie Howell
• Rod Long
• Donna Martinez
• Rosanne Olson
• Shannon Sewell
• James Singleton
• J. Craig Sweat
• Peggy Washburn
• Julie Watts
• Morgana Wingard
• Alexis Wolfe