“Adriana,” by Mary Larson, SOLD for 3,000 peanut butter & jelly sandwiches.

In Mary’s own words from her website:

I am an artist and a nurse who works with the homeless. The subjects of my portraits are the patients I help take care of at the clinic where I work. Many of the sitters in my portraits are homeless; some are not. All have been touched by homelessness. There are items that are luxuries for people who are homeless; socks (often worn 2 months at a time), gloves, hats, underwear, & a cup of coffee. Instead of putting a dollar value on my portraits, I sell them in exchange for items that are given to our patients at the clinic & to other organizations that provide for those in need in Seattle.

Adriana’s portrait was sold for 3,000 peanut butter & jelly sandwiches and now hangs on the wall of St. John’s Catholic School in Seattle’s Greenwood neighborhood. The fifth grade class bought the piece and between now and eighth grade will make 3,000 sandwiches in exchange for the portrait. The portrait subject, Adriana, says, “It makes me feel special. Famous.” You can read more about the story behind this particular piece HERE.

Mary is one of the collaborators on the Skid Row installation at the Olson Kundig Architects storefront in Pioneer Square, Seattle. Her portraits are part of the exhibit that you can view every Tuesday through Friday from 11:30am until 1:30pm through early September. I’ll be sitting down with the installation coordinators next week to learn more about the project, so stay tuned for more!

– Erin, Director of Education and Advocacy Network, YWCA Seattle I King I Snohomish