Lost Dreams on Canvas and
"The Art of Peace" Program
Preserving—through art—the memories of children lost to senseless violence.
Click on the gallery at right to see portraits created for this program and read about the children who inspired them.
Lost Dreams on Canvas
Become a Part of the Program
In the Community: “The Art of Peace” Program
Lost Dreams on Canvas
Lost Dreams on Canvas preserves the memories of children who were innocent victims of violence by capturing their lives on canvas. The portraits forever leave an imprint in our hearts and minds. The haunting faces of these children tell the story of the unfulfilled dreams and promise of their lives.
Mr. Rich Montgomery and a group of local war veterans had become outraged when they heard about the senseless murder of Marcus Yates, the 5-year-old son of a Marine Corps Vietnam veteran who had been caught in gunfire between drug dealers in a candy store near his home. Lost Dreams on Canvas is the result of a unique partnership that began in 1993 when Mr. Montgomery approached PAFA’s Judy Ringold about organizing artists to paint portraits of children who had been innocent victims of violence.
Since that time, many Philadelphia-area artists have donated their time and talents to paint more than 300 portraits of innocent victims of random violence. Their unique and selfless contributions have created a most moving and effective tribute. The Lost Dreams on Canvas exhibition travels around to schools and community centers as a centerpiece for anti-violence programming and is part of the Art of Peace program at the Academy.
Become a Part of the Program
- Parents, family, or friends: Please contact us to request a portrait of a child who was the victim of violence.
- Artists and PAFA alums: Please contact us if you are interested in volunteering to paint a portrait for the program.
Contact Judy Ringold at 215-972-2061 or Serena Saunders at 215-972-2054.
In the Community: “The Art of Peace” Program
The Lost Dreams on Canvas exhibition serves as a centerpiece for anti-violence programming. The exhibit travels around to schools and community centers as part of programming on site. Students may also visit PAFA to participate in "The Art of Peace" Museum tour, where they view the Lost Dreams exhibit as well as artworks in the galleries dealing with images of creating peace. Programming offers strategies to escape the cycle of violence and learn about creating peace at home, school, and community.
"The Art of Peace" Educational Materials are provided to assist teachers in integrating anti-violence issues into the classroom curriculum before, during and after the program through lively and creative activities. Topic materials include A Portrait of Violence; Heroes of Peace; The Power Of Artistic Expression; Dreams; and Creating Peace.
The students view the Lost Dreams on Canvas portraits, see someone like themselves and the finality of violence strikes home, takes root in their consciousness and makes a difference in their lives.