Georgia foster teens have created a traveling art exhibit called the See Me project, sponsored by the nonprofit Georgia Appleseed, which has collected roughly 50 paintings, poems, and sculptures since 2023. The young artists, many first-time participants, explore themes of healing, hope, family, and belonging, often signing their works anonymously. The exhibit has been displayed at the Georgia Capitol, universities, community centers, and law firms, with artists paid $250 for their contributions.
The project matters because it gives vulnerable foster youth a creative outlet to express their inner worlds and regain a sense of agency, while raising public awareness about the foster care experience without exploiting the participants. By showcasing these deeply personal works in prominent civic and educational spaces, the initiative amplifies voices often unheard and challenges stereotypes about young people in the system, demonstrating the transformative power of art in social advocacy.