Lincoln College Student Uses Talent to Help End Child Poverty

[April 01, 2008]  Even when she was a toddler, Kristi Tjarks knew she wanted to be an artist. As she tells the story, Tjarks smiles and says it was her grandma, Marilyn Tjarks of Saybrook, who really discovered her talent for drawing. "I was about 4 or 5 years old and had taken a box of crayons and drew over everything -- the ottoman, the television, everything. Even now, my family still teases me about doing that," said Tjarks with a chuckle.

Lincoln College student Kristi Tjarks stands near one of her inspirational artwork pieces at the Layman Art Gallery.

A 2006 graduate of Ridgeview High School, Tjarks is now a sophomore at Lincoln College. She recently completed a sophomore honors project by presenting an art exhibit called "Compassion Interaction." Tjarks’ color pencil illustrations feature a variety of ethnic children’s faces paired with words that bring awareness of poverty. The pieces were featured at the Layman Art Gallery with a silent auction during the opening night reception. Proceeds from the silent auction will help fund a Christian child development organization called Compassion International.

Tjarks, who attends the Saybrook Christian Church, says she was happy to see so many people from her congregation make the hour-long trip to see her show. "I had a goal of offering six to eight artwork pieces and hoped to earn at least $200 for the child advocacy group," she said. To her amazement her artwork brought in over $500, and she exceeded her goal by completing 10 pieces to auction for the show. "I felt the show was a success, not only in the money I raised for the children, but to also heighten the awareness of the children who live in poverty," she said.

Tjarks, who has an older sister, Lee Ann, and younger brother, Bradley, is no stranger to the concept of helping children. For the last four years she has undertaken the responsibility of sponsoring a child named Clint Pablo from the Philippines. "The whole experience has made me a better person, and by doing this show I have gained valuable experience as an artist," she said. "I know I’ve done a little bit of what I can do to help others." Tjarks said she has exchanged letters and artwork with Clint Pablo and his mother.

Tjarks, who is also a catcher for the Lady Lynx softball team, acknowledged that she has received an abundance of support from her art teachers and softball coach at Lincoln College. "Both of my art teachers (E.J. Miley and Hope Hardin-Borbely) taught me how to prepare for a gallery showing and offered cost-effective advice on better ways to do my craft." Lincoln College softball coach John Andrews, along with his wife, artist Debbie Shull-Andrews, also supported Tjarks by buying a piece of artwork from his player.

Tjarks said the process has been rewarding. "Being at Lincoln College has helped me network and stay involved," she said. "The whole experience has made me what I am. It boils down to success being just a matter of ambition."

The future holds a fast-paced schedule as Tjarks plans to graduate from Lincoln College in May and then get married in June. After those two events she will continue her education at Columbia College in Chicago to study graphic design. Tjarks takes it all in stride and said her goal for the future is simple: "I would like to sponsor more children."

[Text from file received from Lincoln College]