By Maggie Biunno
To an uninformed observer, the cows and families portrayed in artist Betty LaDuke’s paintings, now on display at the Long Island Children’s Museum in Garden City, may look like an average barnyard scene. However, “Dreaming Cows” the title of the exhibit, is part of a project to save lives and end hunger in third world countries.
The exhibit raises awareness for Heifer International, a nonprofit organization with a mission statement of “ending hunger, caring for the world,” that gives animals such as cows and llamas to families so they produce their own food and clothing, said Gina Garcia, a development associate at the museum.
“It’s giving them a future,” Garcia said. “They take pride in raising the animals. It gives them opportunity for growth.”
LaDuke became involved with Heifer International in 2003 when she found out about their educational tours. Since then, she has traveled to Asia, Africa, and Latin America with the organization.
“There was one targeted to Rwanda because of the horrible history of genocide,” LaDuke said. “I was wondering how in my own mind how their program could affect people and make a difference in the world.”
The “Dreaming Cows” exhibit at the LICM, focuses on her trips to Rwanda and Uganda. It is a compilation of artwork, information about Heifer, and questions for children and adult viewers to contemplate. The unique and vibrantly colored works of art portraying the families helped by the organization are displayed next to sketches and photos.
LaDuke explained that the use of all three mediums of artwork reinforces the reality that exists in these countries.
“When I sketch people always watch me so I’m the village entertainment,” LaDuke said. With fans accumulating from the first step of the artistic process, LaDuke sends copies of her sketches to individuals, as well as a painting to the country. While it varies by country, the village people often get to enjoy the finished product in community centers or schools.
LaDuke’s relationship with the LICM started with a proposal, similar to the way she approaches other museums and institutions that have art programs that reach out to the community.
“Part of the museum’s mission is to reach out and educate about what goes on in the rest of the world,” Garcia said. “Their mission is ours so the partnership and giving awareness of this organization is appropriate. She is really lovely and down to earth.”
LaDuke has been an artist all of her life and has her work featured in many circulating exhibits as well as illustrations in books. She lives in Ashland, Oregon.
