Each picture has a specific story, but in keeping within the confines of confidentiality, the description must be carefully generic, yet appropriately descriptive. It is possible, without revealing the health condition of the individual, to describe the painting and bring forth information that allows the students to connect with the celebratory nature of the series.
1. The Owl Hawk
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The first painting is of an owl flying through a rainbow near an old Oak Tree. This is the first animal image in the four paintings that represent the Medicine Wheel, a healing idea from Native American tradition. I chose to create my own wheel which represents the different Healing Communities. This Owl Hawk is from Rhode Island and represents wisdom, a quality that is a key factor in making decisions.
2. I know just how to whisper
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This painting reflects the origins of the Healing Community which began in Maine. These symbolic figures, the only image in the series that is not of actual participants, introduces the portraits and the song.
3. I know just how to cry
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This is a portrait of one teenager at the camp. He is in face make-up for Carnival and his mood reflects a serious introspective moment. Everyone at the Healing Community has someone in their family group who is HIV positive. Siblings take on the concerns for their brothers and sisters, as they are directly connected to their care and well-being
4. I know just where to find the answers
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This is a self-portrait of a child at Carnival. The picture reflects the close interaction with staff and children that is one of the outstanding characteristics of the Healing Community.
5. And I know just how to lie
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This is one of our counselors of five years who has been a positive role-model for African-American children. In particular, the boys, who in many cases do not have fathers in their lives. Wearing a traditional African shirt and hat reinforces cultural origins and issues of pride and self-esteem.
6. I know just how to fake it
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Also a portrait in face make-up at Carnival, this counselor is a volunteer from the Body Shop in Rhode Island and has participated in both the Maine and Rhode Island program for six years. He has inspired others to volunteer, and reflects a genuine commitment to the families.
7. And I know just how to scheme
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This is one of our Hispanic children who had come to the program for four years, until her parents returned to Puerto Rico. Her face painting captures a certain Latin spirit at Carnival and she has been one of the campers whose love for the outdoors was very evident.
8. I know just when to face the truth
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This is one of our parents from the New York area who has functioned as a foster parent for several years. Her participation of three years at the New Jersey camp with two children has been positive for her adoptive family.
9. And then I know just when to dream
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This is a portrait of the founder of Tamarand Foundation of New York City. He was responsible for advising the creation of a “family camp,” as opposed to “children’s camp. ” He believes very strongly that the impact of support is so important to building a sense of community for families living with HIV/ AIDS.
10. Blue Lobster
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This is the second Medicine Wheel painting depicting a mysterious, almost mythical, lobster on the coast of Maine. It symbolizes protection by it’s exoskeleton and represents the Blueberry Cove Camp tradition of the Healing Community. The scene is Spouting Horn, a cove on the Atlantic Coast which creates a large spout of water as the sea approaches high tide. It is about a mile walk from the Healing Community and a very popular outdoor activity for both children and adults.
11. And I know just where to touch you
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This is a painting of one of our most dedicated staff members. She has participated in both Maine and Rhode Island programs for seven years. Her engagement with children and her love for the program has resulted in her becoming the Program Director of the Rhode Island Healing Community called Night Rainbow. Her work with the Body Shop and her high energy for helping families allowing them to thoroughly enjoy their experiences at the Healing Community, is part of her gift.
12. And I know just what to do
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This is a portrait of a group of staff volunteers from the Body Shop of Rhode Island that came to Maine. The Body Shop organization, with their philosophy of community service, has played a major role in the development of the Healing Community.
13. And I know when to pull you closer
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This portrait is of three campers who have been coming to the Healing Community for seven years. They represent some of our long standing families and are the embodiment of our philosophy: once you become a part of the Healing Community you are encouraged to return. This factor accounts for its on-going strength as a program committed to community.
14. And when to set you loose
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This is a portrait of Henry Haskell, founder of Blueberry Cove Camp and a great supporter of the Healing Community. He was instrumental in creating the Healing Community and, though retired, visited the camp daily and told stories to the children during their rest period. He did this for two years representing the Grandfather spirit in the Healing Community until he passed away in 1994.
15. And I know that the night is fading
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These three parents, on a special trip to Monhegan Island, represent the core group of original African-American families from New Jersey and New York. They function as heads of their households and have brought many other families to the various Healing Communities.
16. And I know the time is going to fly
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These are portraits of staff who were the first directors of the program. The picture captures their unique vision and belief in the Healing Community mission. They represent the strong connection between the Maine program and the New Jersey program.
17. Two Mothers
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These portraits of two mothers, one with a family of three, the other with a family of six have combined their own children with adoptive children to create homes for the young within the African-American community of Greater New York. They are living examples of extended community and are the central reason for the growth of a Healing Community in New Jersey, Fairview Lake.
18. And I’m never going to tell you
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This is a portrait of one of our campers. It is at the Fairview Lake camp. It was taken during a field trip to a local farm to visit horses.
19. Everything I got to tell you
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A portrait of one of our youngest campers, taken at the Fairview Lake Healing Community.
20. But I know I got to give it a try
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This is a conversation between our cook in Maine and a parent of seven seasons. It illustrates the connections and friendships, built on trust, that have evolved over the years.
21. And I know the roads to riches
22. And I know the road to fame
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These (21 & 22) portraits are of the founder of the Body Shop. The generosity in support of the Healing Community, since the beginning, has continued for seven years.
23. Deer
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This is a portrait of one of our staff with the spirit image of a deer. It is the third in the series of the Medicine Wheel images and connects the animal world of the spirit to the Healing Community. All three sights, Maine, Rhode Island and New Jersey have deer and it is a fitting metaphor of the care and deep feelings of connection the Healing Community seeks to foster.
24. I know all the rules
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This is a portrait of one of our campers at Fairview Lake. He has been coming to the Healing Community for seven years. In the background is one of our volunteers from Connecticut who has been contributing to the program since 1995, in both time and funding. The Healing Community seems to function through the kindness of others within a larger, external community.
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25. And then I know when to break them
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This portrait is of a staff member from Canada. He has participated for five years in the Healing Communities and has brought to the children and their family members, a view of life different from their city oriented experiences. His involvement in natural healing plants and a healthy diet has influenced many of our parents to alter their eating habits and enhance their natural immune systems.
26. And I always know the name of the game
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This is a portrait of two staff members in front of the Maine camp, at the main building of the Healing Community at Blueberry Cove. Both have made various fundraising efforts for the programs and one of them (left) is now the project director for the Fairview Healing Community. This facility has, in the year 2000, expanded into two summer sessions for families.
27. But I don’t know how to leave you
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This is a composite portrait of one of our parents who has adopted two African-American Children and created a “new” family. Both of her children were born with the HIV virus and have since gained the status of being free of the virus. This phenomenon is documented, but not fully understood. It speaks well of the exceptional care their adoptive mother provides.
28. And I’ll never let you fall
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This is a painting of one of our campers at Night Rainbow in Rhode Island. The YMCA facilities at Camp Fuller have a climbing tower. The camper very much wanted to climb the tower, though he was very young. The staff arranged for a cable which would support and lift him up the side of the tower. It was one of the greatest experiences for him. He is now in his fifth year in the program.
29. And I don’t know how you do it
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This portrait portrays an older camper assisting a younger camper at Basketball. The integrated structure of the program makes it possible for siblings of different ages and ethnicity to play together in a variety of activities outside. This scene is at Night Rainbow in Rhode Island.
30. Making love out of nothing at all
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Again, this is a Carnival scene. Our camp nurse of eight years, and one of the parents from New York are depicted. Our nurse is dearly valued by our families and has a true gift for making the parents comfortable with their children’s health concerns. Her easy-going manner does not reflect her extensive knowledge and background with families living with HIV/ AIDS. She is a true expert and has worked in the field for twelve years.
31. The Bear
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This portrait is the final animal depiction for the four images that complete the Medicine Wheel series of paintings. The bear is a symbol of power. In Native American cultures the owl is representative of wisdom, and opposes the Bear on the Wheel. To Native Americans, wisdom without power is ineffectual and power without wisdom is dangerous. This idea comes from Dr. Michael Samuals and his workshop based on the theory of the Medicine Wheel held in Wakefield, RI in 1997.
32. Two Women
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This portrait is of two staff members who were part of the core staff at the Healing Community at Blueberry Cove, Night Rainbow, and Fairview Lake. Both women are from Canada. The woman on the left is an actress living in New York City, and the other is a social worker working in Canada. Both women possess unusual strengths and have contributed to the various Healing Communities since 1995.
33. Brother
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This portrait depicts the brother of one of our camps strongest volunteers. The brother died of AIDS four years ago. The sister’s spirit has played such a vital role in supporting the Healing Community. This painting celebrates her brother’s memory. So many volunteers at the Healing Community have lost a loved one to AIDS. To do something positive in memoriam, helping others living with the virus, is the way they chose to live with their grief.
34. Elder and Younger
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This is a portrait of a conversation between and elder and a young camper. It took place at the farm near Fairview Lake in New Jersey. It illustrates the outreach of the Healing Community to its neighbors and communicates the inter-generational approach that the program seeks to achieve.
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This portrait captures a moment between two volunteers and expresses the very best of the Healing Community. It shows the enthusiasm and trust which exists among people of different backgrounds, as they work together to improve the quality of life for families impacted by AIDS.
36. Four Children
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This final portrait in the series was taken at the Fairview Lake Healing Community. It captures the epitome and mood of what the program strives to achieve; a bonding between participants which supports the joys of the moment. Childhood should not be determined by a virus, and the lives of many children are enhanced by experiences that celebrate rather than negate their lives. The Healing Community has worked to provide children and their parents/ caregivers with an experience in the outdoors to honor their Childhood.