“Shine,” sponsored by Dr. Mark Gross DDS and Dr. Andrew Kaplan DMD, MPH, features paintings by Christel Ibsen, and photo prints by Sarah Millet that will remain on exhibit at Dental Partners 5th Avenue from May 9th to November 6th. A portion of all proceeds for work that is sold will go to benefit Operation Smile.
Christel and Sarah have collaborated for years, exchanging ideas and exploring the strengths and emotions achieved in their respective mediums of paint and photography. Each strives through her art to capture and portray the essence and innocence of childhood.
Mark Gross and Andrew Kaplan believe that dentistry is an art. They attempt to achieve not only the optimum health of each patient, but the aesthetic beauty of their smile. Their passion for dentistry and art motivated them to initiate a series of art exhibits to raise money for those that are less fortunate, and in desperate need of dental care.
This inaugural exhibition is centered around art that captures the universal inspirational and mystical beauty of a child's smile. However, there are millions of children who have never smiled, laughed, or for that matter eaten a meal without being in pain. It is those children that Dr. Gross and Dr. Kaplan seek to help.
Christel Ibsen
Operation Smile is especially dear to my heart because, when I was twelve years old living in Denmark, I was in a horrific car accident that tore apart my upper lip. The doctor who 'fixed me up' was none one other than the Danish Doctor, Dr. Fog-Andersen. It was he who found the way to repair, both medically and cosmetically, the life altering disfigurement - a cleft palate and lip.
Every 3 minutes a child somewhere in the world is born with a cleft.
One in 10 will die before their first birthday.
In as few as 45 minutes and for as little as $240, a surgery can change a child's life forever.
Sarah Millet
My work in diverse public health settings has showed me first hand the impact disease and poverty can have on the health of entire families. I am amazed by the generous life-changing interventions provided by the medical professionals of Operation Smile. I feel fortunate to have found a way to combine my passion for photography with my desire to help promote the health of children and families.
Operation Smile is the largest volunteer-based medical charity providing free surgical care to children born with cleft lip and cleft palate. Operation Smile works in more than 60 countries to help ensure that every child, no matter where they are born, has the chance to smile.
Supporting Operation Smile will not only help thousands of children shine, it will keep all of us smiling for a long time.
Please follow the links to view more of our work:
http://www.christelibsen.com
http://sarahmilletphotography.zenfolio.com/
http://www.dp5th.com/2013/05/shine-an-art-exhibit-to-benefit-children-worldwide/