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Artist paints picture of hope for children needing homes

Columbus--When Darrin Hoover (no relation to reporter) went on stage at the Southern Hotel Thursday night, two blank giant canvases awaited him.

Two hours later, the canvasses showed the likeness of two adults whose life stories were intended to inspire children in the custody of Franklin County Children Services, letting them know that it’s possible to overcome extreme adversity. Hoover painted the images and narrated the stories on stage in the multi-media docudrama, which also included a film and stirring music.
“I’m like your tour guide,” he told the enthralled audience.

The program Portrait of a Child: Lives on Canvas also was designed to motivate potential adoptive and foster parents to take the vital steps to help children stabilize their lives. The effort also was intended to attract volunteers to help with the agency’s various programs.  

The creative work was the brainchild of Troy Lindsey, executive producer of the program and recruitment assistant for Children Services.
November is National Adoption Month and the performance was part of the local observance.

The occasion also introduced the newest All Kids Count Adoption and Foster Care calendar, who is available throughout the year.
The calendar features 13 children in need of safe, permanent homes and some of the families who have opened their homes to children in need of such care.

For more information, call 614-341-6060 or visit the Web site www.franklincountyohio.gov/children_services.

Photo By Terry Gilliam

Artist Darrin Hoover

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