(PNAN-AL) – On Tuesday, October 5 at 5:30 pm, the Birmingham Museum of Art Museum will host its fifth anniversary of the Heart Gallery, and currently being celebrated is a heartfelt collection of portraits featuring children who are currently in the Alabama foster care system in the second floor Sonat Gallery through November 11.
“In the first exhibit five years ago, we had 24 to 27 portraits,” said Michelle Bearman-Wolnek, Heart Gallery Alabama Executive Director. “We now have over 400 children photographed.” The exhibitions not only bring attention to the children photographed, but also help to raise public awareness about all children awaiting adoption. According to Wolnek, 175 children have been placed in permanent family situations as a result of Heart Gallery.
“Part of the Museum’s role is to bring awareness to the community. A visitor to the Museum might see this exhibition and decide to become an adoptive parent,” said Suzy Harris, the BMA’s Associate Curator of Education. “The first exhibit in 2005 resulted in three adoptions. We are hopeful there will be more this year.” To help promote placement of children in need of a permanent family, Heart Gallery Alabama recruits professional photographers to capture each child’s unique spirit in these portraits.
The event is free, open to the public and light refreshments will be served, which will be held outside the Sonat Gallery in front of Oscar’s Café.
About
Founded in 1951, the Birmingham Museum of Art has one of the finest collections in the Southeast. More than 24,000 objects displayed and housed 
represent a rich panorama of cultures, including Asian, European, American, African, Pre-Columbian and Native American. Highlights include the Museum’s collection of Asian art, Vietnamese ceramics, the Kress collection of Renaissance and Baroque paintings, sculpture, and decorative arts from the late 13th century to the 1750s, and the Museum’s world-renowned collection of Wedgwood, the largest outside of England.