An annual art show to raise money for Sangamon County foster children is stepping it up a notch and getting fancy.
Fancy Nancy, to be precise.
In early January, Illinois Times published a story about a local ministry, The James Project, hosting its sixth annual Artsy: An Art Fair for Kids in Care! to raise money to help foster children. The art show had its inception when 4-year-old Hollis Snyder read a book about a girl called Fancy Nancy, who raised money by selling art she created.
At her Springfield church, Hollis learned about foster kids in need and started an art show in her yard to raise money for them. The show, which has grown, now features the work of children and adults, ranging from professionals to amateurs.
Robin Preiss Glasser, who has illustrated more than 50 Fancy Nancy books, read the Illinois Times article after her sister, who lives in Illinois, brought it to her attention. Glasser, who lives in California, contacted the newspaper and said she wanted to donate some of her original artwork, including Fancy Nancy drawings, to The James Project for them to sell to help foster kids.
"I'm involved with two schools for kids with disabilities, and I do art and theater and music and that sort of thing, Glasser told IT. "I've gotten such joy out of helping the families and the children. So, when I saw that article, I thought I need to encourage this child, who's been doing this for a few years now."
Olivia Hayse, director of The James Project, said her ministry is thrilled to be receiving Glasser's art and plans to auction it online. Because the number of people infected with COVID-19 has spiked in Sangamon County, the date of the art show has been moved to May 1. It will be held from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at The Pharmacy, 623 Adams St., Springfield.
The James Project currently provides five foster families with houses to live in at no cost. The Closet, which is one of the James Project's branches of ministry, provides new and gently used clothes for any of the county's 625 foster kids.
Scott Reeder, an Illinois Times staff writer, can be reached at [email protected].
