The Heart Gallery of South Texas is a traveling art exhibit featuring photos of foster children in the state’s conservatorship who are seeking their forever family. This year, the Heart and Soul Gallery was created to feature African American children legally free for adoption, with hopes of ending disproportionality.

The Museum of the Coastal Bend served as a backdrop for some of these photographs, and will host the Heart & Soul Gallery exhibit for the dates of June 23 – July 23. MCB has partnered with Golden Crescent CASA and Devereux Texas – Victoria in the presentation of this exhibit.

The Heart and Soul Gallery is a project of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, Region 11. The purpose of the project is to find stable loving families for foster children needing permanent adoptive homes. Many of the children in the Heart Gallery are considered more difficult to place because they are older or in a sibling group. The Gallery serves as a reminder that children never outgrow the need for parents.

The exhibit will also feature original artwork by children involved with the mission of Golden Crescent CASA and Devereux Texas – Victoria, as well as information about fostering and adoption efforts of agencies in the Victoria region.

An opening reception for the exhibit will be held on Thursday, June 23 at the Museum of the Coastal Bend. For additional information please contact the museum at 361.582.2511.

The Museum of the Coastal Bend is located on the campus of Victoria College, Victoria, TX, at the corner of East Red River and Ben Jordan. Viewing hours are Tuesday – Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.