Ukrainian Art For Ukrainian Kids
Selections of Ukrainian Children’s Art from the International Children’s Owl Art Contest
On view through December 31, 2022
The mission of the International Owl Center (IOC) is to make the world a better place for owls, through research and education. Located in Houston, MN, the IOC hosts the International Children's Owl Art Contest, held annually in conjunction with their International Festival of Owls. Beginning in 2004, the art contest has grown into a highly competitive competition garnering over 2000 submissions each year from all over the world.
In February of 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine, beginning an unprovoked and unjustified war that created a humanitarian crisis. Over the years, the IOC had received hundreds of art submissions from Ukrainian children. Partnering with the Houston Area Community Foundation, the IOC identified all of the artwork submitted by Ukrainian children, which were then put up for auction online by IOC volunteer Jayne Overstreet. The first auction of 59 pieces ended on March 20,2022 raising $101,321. Subsequent auctions raised the total to $243,093, with all of the funds going towards United Nations Children's Fund’s (UNICEF) humanitarian efforts in Ukraine. The top auctioned piece sold for over $8,000, with all winning bidders getting a tangible connection to a child in Ukraine.
Many of the young artists living and attending school in eastern Ukraine have been directly affected by the war, with several of the artists having had to flee the country. UNICEF response teams are on the ground delivering humanitarian assistance to impacted communities.
In partnership with the IOC, the Minnesota Marine Art Museum selected ten works of art that were created by Ukrainian children and presented for the first time here in the Museum’s Oberton Education Room. The Museum is proud to partner with its regional educational organizations like the International Owl Center, and use the Oberton Education Room to amplify the work our educational partners in the region are doing.
Acknowledgements
This installation was created in partnership with the International Owl Center, and with the generous support of Sabina Bosshard and George Parks III. The International Owl Center, like the Museum, is grateful for the many generous contributions from foundations, corporations, individuals, members and volunteers. Artworks displayed here are on loan from the International Owl Center and MMAM board member Sabina Bossard.