The Children’s Trust Miami Heart Gallery, a photo exhibit promoting the adoption of foster children in Miami-Dade County, will be on display in the lobby of Actors’ Playhouse at The Miracle Theatre, 280 Miracle Mile in Coral Gables from Nov. 11 – Jan. 7. The exhibit here is timed to the main stage production of Oliver!, a timeless musical based on Oliver Twist, the literary classic by Charles Dickens about orphaned boys in 19th century London. The exhibit is available to theater ticketholders and free of charge to non ticketholders Monday – Friday, noon-2 PM and during all show times by visiting the box office for a complimentary exhibit pass. The exhibit also will be available for viewing Friday, Dec. 3 from 4-7 PM during Coral Gables’ Gallery Night and the city’s official tree lighting ceremony to usher in the holiday season.
“We are delighted to showcase the exhibit in our historic theater during the holidays,” said Barbara S. Stein, Executive Producing Director of Actors’ Playhouse. “We are particularly excited to offer every child in The Children’s Trust Miami Heart Gallery an opportunity to experience live theater by coming to see the show as our gift to them.”
With a nearly 50 percent adoption rate, the exhibit is comprised of 44 portraits taken by some of the world’s top photographers. Many of the participating photographers are award-winning professionals who have received top honors for their art or are known for their celebrity status such as Johnny Núñez, who has photographed such superstars as Jennifer Lopez, Russell Simmons and Magic Johnson. Many others have worked for top publications such as: In Style, Vogue, The New York Times, Self, Rolling Stone, Newsweek, Vanity Fair, Forbes, Mademoiselle, Sports Illustrated, Cosmopolitan, and Ocean Drive, just to name a few. These renowned photographers donated their time to this worthwhile project.
The Children’s Trust Miami Heart Gallery is a partnership between The Children’s Trust and OurKids, the private agency responsible for foster care and adoption in Miami-Dade County and the Florida Keys. According to the state of Florida, more than 1,500 foster children are eligible for adoption in Florida and approximately 150 of them live in Miami-Dade. These children have been removed from their biological parents for reasons of neglect or abuse with no possibility of family reunification.
The Children’s Trust Miami Heart Gallery is complimented by a comprehensive website, www.miamiheartgallery.org, which highlights the children’s portraits; videos of each child with information about their hobbies, goals and dreams; as well as a video about the making of the exhibit. Anyone interested in learning more about adopting a foster child should call The Children’s Trust Helpline at 211 or visit www.miamiheartgallery.org.
The Children’s Trust is a dedicated source of revenue established by voter referendum to improve the lives of children and families in Miami-Dade County.