Jane Joo Hun Lee (left) and Helen Park sent
cradles they created to an international organization
that raises money for orphans in Africa.

Some Leonia High School art students used scrap materials to design cradles for an international organization that raises money for orphans in Africa.

An artist named Naomi Natale started the Cradle Project after she was inspired on a trip to Africa. She saw how diseases and poverty were leaving lots of children as orphans. Creating the cradles with scrap materials symbolizes a rebirth or renewal.

The Cradle Project involves artists from around the world sending in cradles with a small donation. The cradles will be exhibited in New Mexico and available for auction on the Internet.

Katherine Philip, an art teacher at the high school, had students in her Three-Dimensional Sculpture and Design class make cradles and then let them decide if they wanted to submit their projects. She usually teaches chair design but said it would be an interesting and important project.

"It’s doing something to help other kids and a lot of times kids have no idea how lucky they are," she said. "I don’t always realize it myself."

Of her students, Helen Park and Jane Joo Hun Lee decided to send in their cradles. Alec Ziff made a donation.

Park’s cradle was designed as a hammock with a wooden base. Philip was especially impressed that she knitted the hammock. Park, a junior, wants to study graphic design and liked Natale’s motivation with starting The Cradle Project.

"I usually do art in school to get good grades so it felt good to use my ability to help someone," Park said.

Lee, a senior, wants to major in pre-medicine and designed a small cradle out of wood. Philip said her project showed how much she cares about helping people, especially children.

Philip was proud of the students for choosing to send in their cradles, especially since Park had a good reason to keep hers.

"She may need it for her portfolio when she’s applying to art schools," Philip said.

But Philip, a Geraldine Dodge Award winner, said she’s excited that her students will have their work presented along side professional artists.

For more information on The Cradle Project log on to www.thecradleproject.org.