The Oglesby Gallery, located in Florida State University’s student union, featured its first non-profit art exhibit titled, “The Lost Generation of Uganda,” which ended Feb. 13.
Rachel Rossin, 21, a fourth-year graphic design student at FSU is the founder of The Greenhouse Project Art show, which will host the exhibit.
The West Palm Beach native was inspired by Kevin Kalibballa, founder of an orphanage for children in Uganda.
Kalibballa opened his home to children in dire need.
Rossin said Kalibballa’s story moved her to hold an art exhibit.
“There are about two million orphans in Uganda and 50 percent of the population of Uganda is under 15 years old,” Rossin said. “Uganda is not financially equipped to overcome certain things.”
Kalibballa, 21, is a Ugandan student at Liberty University in Virginia.
Rossin was awarded money by the National Fellowship organization, FSU’s undergraduate grant program, and stayed at the orphanage in Uganda for five weeks.
Rossin said she enjoyed spending time with the children.
She taught them how to paint and express themselves through art.
She asked the children about what scared them and their future goals, and they answered through hand paintings.
Rossin also took many pictures of the orphanage, the local environment, and the children.
The exhibit is made up of pictures taken by Rossin and paintings created by the kids in Uganda.
“I create an awareness by using their art as their voice,” Rossin said.
Rosin said she wanted to enlighten others about the orphanage in Uganda, so she kept all the paintings the children made.
The attraction brought many anxious visitors.
“I think the art is really nice,” said Ryler Calabrese, 28, a fourth-year international affairs student at FSU.
Other witnesses agreed.
“I thought the art was captivating,” said Natasha Ingram, a FSU student.
Ingham, an international affairs student from Miami, said she especially liked the photography of the kids.
Rachel Rossin and Kevin Kalibballa work together to help the children of Uganda, in an effort to improve the living conditions, and provide food and clothes to the organization.
The paintings and pictures were for sale and started at $200.
Rossin’s plan is to continue with The Greenhouse Project Art Show in order to raise money for the children in Uganda. All of the proceeds from the exhibit were sent to the orphanage where more than 60 children live together.