Currently as you read this sipping your warm coffee at the local hot spot, hundreds of earthquake survivors in Haiti take refuge in make-shift tents using whatever could be salvaged from their crumbled homes. Suddenly, our first world problems that seem so important take a back seat in the scheme of things. Dr. Gregory Gue, a physician currently working in Port-au-Prince said, "I came where there was a need. We have to do what we can to help our people. Haiti needs all the help it can get." As I read a little bit about what Dr. Gue is doing to help, I saw the good and the bad. As some of my readers may know I am a little emotional currently being over seven months pregnant with my first child, so when I hear stories how they are treating a pregnant woman who had been injured by falling blocks and lost her baby, my silly life problems suddenly dissolve and I remember how lucky I am to be living here today.

By now you may be wondering why is the Arts column writing about the disaster and relief efforts of Haiti? Good question. There is currently a project underway called "A Nod to Haiti," a collection of photographs taken by local amateur photographer Amy King that will be opening on Friday, March 5, from 6 to 9pm at the Athenaeum's ArtSpace downtown in the Mass Ave Cultural District. "A Nod to Haiti" started out as a way for King to share her stories and photographs from the last three years as she has traveled down to Haiti on medical missions. Each February, a team organized by St. Thomas Aquinas heads to Belle-Riviere, Haiti, with nearly one ton of supplies and medicines. King was telling me that each team consists of doctors, pharmacists, physical therapists, nurses, and dentists. During their five days of hosting the clinics that run sunrise to sunset, they can see over 2,000 patients. Many of them walk for miles and wait for hours in high temperatures waiting their turn to be treated. Think about that next time you get a little grumpy as you sit in your temperature controlled doctor's office when he is running a little late to see you.

Belle-Riviere is a village located about 75 miles from Port-au-Prince. There is no electricity or running water. There is only one well for the entire village and a nearby river that both have parasitic water. St. Thomas Aquinas has been sending missions down to Haiti since 1990 and has set up funds to ensure that each school child is eating bread, peanut butter, and juice once a day. Their efforts to bring clean drinking water to the area have been impacting as well.

King's hope was to raise money to purchase books for the residents of the area and start a library for them. She recently told me they have a room for a library, but they have no books. With recent events King has decided to switch gears and use this show as a way to show people on a local level not only how one person's efforts can make a difference by raising awareness and support for the earthquake relief, but a way to make it a little more real and personal for us.

King says, "my goal in life is to tell the untold stories of misfortune in the world. I try to convey the real emotions and actions of my subjects." "A Nod to Haiti" is a collection of photos showcasing the resiliency of the Haitian people. Haitians who grow up with that resiliency because they have to. Because their lives are filled with earthquakes, hurricanes, little access to medical care or nutrition or education. All money collected at this show will support local medical missions to Haiti and aid in current earthquake relief. The artist's show will feature not only King's photographs from her own missions to Haiti, but will be coupled with excerpts from her journal. "It's in me. It's in my soul. . . .the desire to help Belle-Riviere and all of Haiti," Amy King.

Amy King and her husband Rob have deployed for Haiti to help in the aid of the people during their time of need. Our prayers will be with them and the surgical team they will be working with. King's photography exhibition will run from March 5th - 25th (Athenaeum 401 E. Michigan Street), for more information visit www.athenaeumfoundation.com or on Facebook at Athenaeum's ArtSpace.

Some of us feel helpless during times of need and would like to help but are not entirely sure what to do. We have been seeing hundreds of ads a day to send money to the American Red Cross and that is a great way to feel like you are helping out. One of my articles just before the holidays was talking about how we can help out on a local level and how we can make a difference in the lives of people around us. My brother called me this week to let me know that his commanding officer is sending him to Haiti to help and I felt a sense of pride and connection to what is going on, but still wanting to do more I will keep up the effort to support King and her mission in sharing her images with Indianapolis. If you would like to consider supporting the efforts in Haiti feel free to contact Amy King at rolaking@hotmail.com.