Who: Doug Gitter of Gitter Gallery. Gitter’s art collection consists of several artists who are recognized in the Smithsonian Institution, the New York American Folk Art Museum and is featured in Macy’s furniture galleries nationwide. Gitter relocated to Jacksonville after being forced out of New Orleans by Hurricane Katrina.
What: Gitter Gallery has donated to Nemours 11 pieces of Giclee on canvas from original artwork that are child-friendly with colorful youthful scenes and vibrant animals. Each piece was painted by an artist with a unique story, like artist Toby Hollinghead who lost vision in an eye during childhood, but went on to become a successful painter, despite being blind in one eye.
Why: 16-year old patient Evan Swanson will be accepting the artwork on behalf of Nemours. Evan, like artist Hollinghead, suffered an eye injury due to a modified fireworks accident, rupturing his right eye. Today, following surgery at Nemours with ophthalmologist Alex Pogrebniak, MD, he is able to use his eye and has 20/30 vision using an aphakic contact lens.
When: Tuesday March 10, 2009 at 1:00 p.m.
Where: On the Kids Walk connector/bridge at Nemours Children’s Clinic (4th floor at Nemours).