Project Overview:

The Appleton Compassion Project is an art project involving 10,436 Appleton Area School district K-12 art students. In fall 2010, participating students received a 6-inch-by-six-inch art panel to draw or paint their idea of compassion. The project aspires to teach the practice of compassion through the use of art.

The inspiration behind the project came from Richard Davidson, PhD – a University of Wisconsin-Madison psychology and psychiatry professor and brain researcher who has scientifically found that those who practice compassion have measurably healthier brains, and generally, a happier outlook on life.

Richard Davidson bio

Museum Exhibition Information:

Collectively, the more than 10,000 art panels will be installed in The Trout Museum of Art galleries, on view for the public, from May 1 – June 30, 2011.

Museum hours: Tuesday – Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.; Sundays Noon – 4:00 p.m.; Mondays closed

Website:

Beginning in May 2011, site visitors will be able to view the completed art panels online, along with a brief artist description, using “cloud” development technology from Microsoft.



On Tuesday evening, May 17, 7:30 PM, Dr. Davidson will be the headline presenter at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center, Appleton, where he will discuss his work on compassion. Tickets for this event will be free and open to the public. Tickets will be available at various community locations beginning March 15.

Participating Organizations:

The Trout Museum of Art, Appleton Area School District and the Appleton Education Foundation.

Sponsors:

Skyline Technologies and Coalesce Marketing & Design, Inc.

Celebrity Involvement:

A number of high profile celebrities have been invited to participate in the Appleton Compassion Project by submitting their own art panel with their interpretation of “compassion.” More information will be revealed as celebrities agree to participate.

For More Information, Contact:

Dana Kohlbeck, Media Relations
Coalesce Marketing & Design, Inc.
P: 920.380.4444
Email: dana@coalescemarketing.com

Timothy Riley, Executive Director
The Trout Museum of Art
P: 920.733.4089
C: 920.205.1092
Email: timriley@troutmuseum.org

James Heiks, Fine Arts Coordinator
Appleton Area School District
P: 920.832.6121
Email: HEIKSJAMES@aasd.k12.wi.us

Downloads:

Download Project Fact Sheet