For our America 250 project in Fresno, California, Healing in Arts partnered with Break the Barriers to give children of different abilities and backgrounds an opportunity to create a beautiful art piece celebrating our nation’s 250th birthday.
Together, the children created The Next 250, a collaborative artwork celebrating their hopes, dreams, creativity, and the promise of the next generation. Each child created a tiny, 4-inch painting, which was combined with all the others to form one beautiful, collaborative piece.
One young artist with autism was especially proud to learn that his small painting was highlighted in the center of the finished artwork. Excited, he told us that his parents were going to Fresno City Hall to see his work on display.
The completed artwork was selected for display at Fresno City Hall as part of the city’s America 250 celebration. We are especially grateful to Fresno Mayor Jerry P. Dyer and the City of Fresno for giving these young artists a public place for their work to be seen and celebrated.
For the children, seeing their individual contributions become part of something larger reinforces an important message: every person has something meaningful to contribute.
As America celebrates its first 250 years, these children remind us to look ahead. The next 250 years belong to them.