Painting Syria’s Children: The Refugee Portrait Project
Artist Dee Abbate, 76, of Oakwood Hills, felt helpless for years and driven to despair as she watched news footage of the Syrian civil war, the growing Middle East refugee crisis, and, above all, the children affected. Unable to just do nothing, Dee organized a group of artist friends to paint portraits of Syrian children caught in the crosshairs. The group, now 23 strong, has taken the changing exhibit on the road and donates 100 percent of the proceeds to charities aiding those least protected.