International award winning photographer Julia Kelleher, Cr.Photog., CPP was chosen as the exclusive artist for the St. Charles Family Birthing Centers in Bend and Redmond and has teamed up with it to inspire new mothers during their birth experience.
Kelleher plans to give $60,000 worth of fine art photography to the FBC. The images will grace the walls of the Bend Family Birthing Center, and feature babies ranging in age from 3-21 days old who were born either at St. Charles Bend or St. Charles Redmond. The display is an exclusive, on-going 5-year project that will grow over time using images of local families who have special or unique stories. Kelleher will photograph deserving families pro bono and provide the gift of custom portraiture for these hand-selected families who wish to be part of the display.
“You can’t help but feel inspired by human nature when you meet these families and their new babies. Newborns are the epitome of purity and innocence. I hope these images give parents hope for their children and provide a sense of comfort to laboring mothers—that what they are doing is miraculous.” said Kelleher.
“Julia was chosen because of her stunning, peaceful and emotional images, and her dedication to the health and well-being of newborn babies. Her art aligns with St. Charles’ vision to nurture whole-body oriented health in our patients,” said FBC Nurse Manager, Crystal Sully, Nurse Manager Pediatrics/NICU.
The initial installation includes 60-70 large scale, hand-wrapped, giclee canvases featuring 3 dozen Central Oregon families. The images will adorn the FBC hallways and all 24 birthing rooms.
Before the gallery is installed, Kelleher will reveal the images to the general public at an open house at her Old Mill Marketplace studio.
September 21st, 2012
Studio Open House and Reveal Party: 5-8 pm
550 SW Industrial Way #175 Bend, OR 97702
All are invited to come support the FBC and St. Charles NICU. All raffle ticket sales will be donated and anyone who gives $250 or more to the St. Charles NICU on Sept 21st will receive a complimentary Platinum Portrait Session from Jewel Images. The selected images for display will be installed at the Bend Family Birthing Center the weekend of September 22-23, 2012.
Jewel Images is a fine art portrait studio specializing in custom photographic art that compliments home décor. Owner Julia Kelleher, Cr. Photog., CPP has earned recognition both nationally and internationally as one of the top portrait artists in the country. Julia has been named by Professional Photographers of America as an International Photographer of the Year, and by Professional Photographers of Oregon and Washington as Photographer of the Year. She has won 3 prestigious Kodak Gallery Awards and ASP Elite awards. Several of Julia’s art pieces were also selected as part of the “best of” international traveling loan collection. She specializes in newborn, children, and family portraits out of her charming 1700 square foot Old Mill Marketplace studio. Having given birth at the FBC herself, Julia lives in Bend with her husband and one year old son, and emphasizes giving back to the community especially in local children’s causes.
