SpongeBob Squarepants, Hello Kitty, the Hulk, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Pikachu were all there for Ryo Perez-Palmer.
Ryo was born with a heart defect that required open-heart surgery, leaving his father, graphic design student Esteban Perez-Palmer, with a tough decision. He left school due to the accumulating hospital bills and to give Ryo the support and attention he needed.
The Big Kids art show at Studio@620 on Saturday helped raise money for the family. The show featured artwork by students from Symmes Elementary School in Riverview and remakes of their work by USF St. Petersburg graphic design students.
“We are such a tight knit group,” said Jimmy Breen, vice president of USFSP’s graphic design club, AIGA. “Esteban was only with us for a few weeks and when he left, we really felt like we lost one of our unit. We’re all very supportive of each other, we help each other out.”
To involve kids in the show, the organizers asked students of Symmes to draw a picture. Most were done in crayon. The pictures were then sent to the students of USFSP’s Graphic Design program. Participants picked at least one picture to be their inspiration. They took the drawing and transformed it into an entirely new piece of art. Whether they used computer graphics, paints, pencils, ink, clay, wood or a combination of materials, the art was taken to a new level.
“One of the coolest aspects of this is meeting the kids and getting to interact with them,” said Scarlett Schiraldi, president of AIGA. “Plus, them getting to see that their art is valuable and hopefully it encourages them to continue making art in their lives.”
“Overwhelmed,” Palmer said about the show. “I am amazed at the turnout, the amazing artwork, such cool ideas and that it takes on children’s artwork.”
Palmer also said that part of whatever amount is raised will go to the St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital in Tampa.
The artwork will be on display Feb. 11 through 28 in USFSP’s Harbor Hall lobby, open Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Photo by Thomas Boyd.
