Glimpses of the Places They Called Home
2020 Online Art Auction
Donate $100 or more to any campaign and receive a set of 28 unique notecards from this limited collection featuring paintings by artist and Hearts & Homes Board Member Lori Kapner Hosp. These paintings honor the bravery, kindness and exuberance of the refugee families who bring so much to our community.
Due to COVID-19 we discovered new ways to reach people and share stories, as well as raise funds. Local artist and Hearts & Homes for Refugees’ Board member Lori Kapner Hosp created and donated a collection of 28 original paintings entitled “Glimpses of Places They Called Home” that was the focus of an online art auction on November 27, 2020. The collection pays tribute to the sights and tastes that our new neighbors left behind, as they embrace their lives in the U.S. We raised over $16,000 in our art auction to help support our efforts. All the proceeds from the auction benefited Hearts & Homes for Refugees’ ongoing work to welcome, assist and advocate for refugee families in the region.
Lori Kapner Hosp joined the Board of Directors of Hearts & Homes for Refugees two years ago and is an active volunteer focusing much of her work on the organization’s Helping Hands program. In March, when the pandemic forced people to stay home, Hosp channeled her creative energy into ‘Glimpses of Places They Called Home,’ a series of paintings that honor refugees by capturing the beautiful and varied places they hail from — their land, people, traditions and unique foods.
“When the pandemic hit, I knew that I would paint my way through it, and I wanted to create a project with purpose,” said Hosp. “So, my paintings became an homage to the bravery, kindness and exuberance of the refugee families who bring so much to our communities, while also supporting the critically important work of Hearts & Homes for Refugees.”
A Few Featured Paintings…
Girl Splashing Water, The Gambia
The Gambia is the smallest country on mainland Africa, a strip of land roughly the size of Connecticut, split down the middle by the Gambia River. It is characterized by ethnic diversity; in addition to the official language English, the tribal languages Mandinka, Wolof and Fula are widely spoken. And, interestingly, it is known for being home to Jufureh, the reputed ancestral village of Kunta Kinte, the main character in Alex Haley's well-known novel "Roots."
Aleppo Peppers, Syria
These chilies, known for their bright red hue and distinctive smoky flavor, are named after the city of Aleppo in Syria. The peppers are grown mostly in Northern Syria and Turkey, and in crushed form are a staple spice of Mediterranean foods.
This pepper has been harder to find in recent years as its namesake city has been ravaged by civil war. According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, hundreds of millions of dollars' worth of Aleppo peppers and other crops were destroyed in Syria between 2011 and 2016. Now some spice vendors are sourcing their Aleppo peppers from nearby Turkey.
Mother & Babe Bringing Sustenance,
Guatemala
Guatemala is the most populous country in Central America and its people are proud of their shared Mayan heritage and their diversity, with over 24 indigenous languages.
The country is known for its lush vegetation, mountains and lakes but still, basic necessities are lacking, especially in rural areas. Clean, drinkable water is one of them. Every day, women and girls walk an average of 3 miles or 5 kilometers to collect water which is often contaminated. This is the case in many countries of the world from Africa to South America.