Do you have an artistic child? Here is a great opportunity for families touched by adoption to participate in a Children’s Art Exhibit, being put on by the Joint Council on International Children’s Services.

The Joint Council on International Children’s Services, or JCICS describes themselves on their website as “the oldest and largest affiliation of licensed, non-profit international adoption organizations in the world. Our membership includes adoption agencies, child welfare organizations, parent support groups and medical specialists with an interest in intercountry adoption.”

The JCICS website is full of information regarding international adoption, licensed agencies and all the latest news and updates on international adoption. If you have never visited their website, I strongly encourage you to take a look.

The JCICS is sponsoring a Children’s Art Exhibit to celebrate their 30th anniversary of advocating for orphaned children around the world and promoting ethical adoptions. The artwork will be displayed at the JCICS 30th Anniversary Gala on April 29, 2006 in Washington D.C.

The theme of the art exhibit is “Creating a Better World for Children”, and children ages 13 and under are who have been touched by international adoption are invited to submit an entry. Three pieces of artwork will be selected for special prices.

If your children enjoy expressing themselves through art, here is a neat opportunity to let them create an adoption-themed piece and have it displayed at a Gala! The deadline for entries is April 14 (they need to be postmarked by then), so there are only two weeks or so left. I don’t’ know about where you live, but here, it is Spring Break next week and I am sure that by Tuesday I’ll be looking for some new activities for the kids. I know that our family has seen adoption make a better world for children in many ways.

More information on the art exhibit, as well as an entry form, and full instructions can be found at http://www.jcics.org/AC2006_Children's%20Art%20Exhibit.htm