“Scars of Healing” by Linnea Lenkus
“When I saw the deep scars on the backs of a brother and sister, I knew this project was more powerful than all of us, and I pushed forward past my tears.” These are the words of Southern California photographer Linnea Lenkus, who, in partnership with Miller Children’s Hospital Stramski Children’s Developmental Center and the nonprofit organization The Steel Magnolias, will present Healing: A Fine Art Portrait Exhibit of Families of Children with Special Needs.
The art exhibit will debut at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center, 6200 Atherton St., on Friday, Oct. 2 from 6pm to 9pm. Many of the families featured in Healing are from the Long Beach and Southern Los Angeles area and will be in attendance with their children to share their personal stories.
With studios in Signal Hill, Long Beach, Pasadena and Irvine, Lenkus is a strong believer in giving back to her community. She went in search of a project that would allow her use her 20-plus years of experience in portrait photography, and, through The Steel Magnolias, she learned about the children of the Stramski Center.
“When I started looking for a fine-art project that would truly resonate with me, it was important that I find the perfect blend of philanthropy, art and family,” said Lenkus. “When I heard the amazing stories of strength and courage of the families receiving services from the Stramski Center, I knew I found the right organization.”
Over the next six months, Lenkus photographed more than 15 families who have children with medical conditions ranging from cerebral palsy, autism, fragile X syndrome, Asperger’s disorder, craniofacial disorders, rett syndrome, prenatal alcohol syndrome and an array of others. With each image, Lenkus worked to capture the emotional connections among family members with dignity and grace.
“When Linnea contacted me about her desire to do family portraits for our patients, I leapt at the opportunity,” said Dr. Gary Feldman, medical director of the Stramski Center. “I knew this would give the families who have children with often unseen and yet disabling conditions a voice. Linnea’s work has not only given these families a platform to tell their story, but the very process of capturing these powerful images has brought to many a measure of healing.”
Two families featured in the exhibit include children adopted from Russia and Ethiopia as part of the Stramski Center’s International Adoption Program. Feldman, who is also an international adoption pediatric specialist, advises parents and soon-to-be parents of the potential behavioral and medical risks their adopted children may face based on the history of the country where the children were born.
“It truly is not possible for me to verbally describe the strength, determination, and love of these families despite their children’s limited mental and physical conditions,” said Lenkus. “This project has transformed me in ways that I cannot express in words, but I hope you can experience through the art of photography.”
Healing consists of 35 full-color and black-and-white photographs on gallery-wrapped canvas. Lenkus donated $1,000 worth of portraits to each family. In addition to the exhibit, Lenkus has created a photography art book which will be available for purchase with profits going to the Stramski Center.
The Carpenter Center event is open to the public, but guests must RSVP at www.LinneaLenkus.com.
After the Carpenter Performing Arts Center debut, the exhibit will go on display October 10 and October 17 as part of the Long Beach Arts Council’s Greater Long Beach Arts Lab (GLOBAL) and Phantom Galleries LA, 390 E. 3rd St.
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