PULLMAN, Wash. The Washington State University Museum of Art is spreading the word about a nation-wide program known as “The Fundred Dollar Bill Project.” Everyone across the country is encouraged to create original, hand-drawn interpretations of U.S. $100 bills to supports a solution to make a lead-safe environment in New Orleans and cities across the U.S.
To inspire area schools, groups, and individuals to contribute, the Museum of Art/WSU is encouraging a “Fundred Dollar Bill” drive beginning on Jan. 25. Those interested in being part of the Fundred Dollar Bill Project, should visit www.fundred.org, print the worksheet, draw their own “Fundred” dollar bills and deliver them to the Museum of Art Gallery by Feb. 9.
New Orleans is one of the most lead-contaminated cities in the U.S. and The Fundred Dollar Bill Project is dedicated to supporting a scientifically verified solution to creating a lead-safe environment. Once New Orleans is lead-safe, it can then become a model for other cities with lead-contaminated soil.
The visionary behind this project is Mel Chin, an artist who sees Fundred as a collaborative art project where every contribution is valuable and celebrated. Children and adults, college students and professor from every region of the United States are drawing Fundred dollar bills and sending them in. A special Fundred-armored truck picks up the donated bills – with three million individually hand-drawn $100 bills anticipated to be collected by June. In Washington DC, a presentation will be made to members of the U.S. Congress with a request for real funding to make lead-polluted soils in New Orleans safe.
Regardless of the outcomes, the Fundred Dollar Bill Project is a valuable teaching tool, an avenue for expression, and a consolidated message of awareness and empathy for the plight of a devastated city. It is also an important tool for bringing attention to a pressing environmental and health-related issue and a way for citizens nationwide to engage in the creation of a safer environment for future generations.
The Museum of Art is located on Wilson Road across from Martin Stadium in the Fine Arts Center on the WSU campus. Gallery Hours are Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Thursday until 7 p.m., closed Sunday.