The Sisters Project by Margi Hafer

“The Sisters Project,” is a collaborative artwork exhibition, featured at the Vogt Fine Arts Center, 17420 67th Court, in Tinley Park, July 2-27, 2019.

This tribute will include forty original pieces of Donna Johnston’s finished works, displayed along with the over 140 works completed by The Sisters Project collaborating artists.

Renowned local artist, Margi Hafer, promised her sister, Donna Johnston, she would create a book documenting “The Sisters Project,” showcasing Donna's original finished art works, as well as her unfinished pieces crafted by local, and Chicago area artists whom lovingly completed her works.

After local artist, Donna Johnston’s death in 2017, and with her family’s blessing, Margi Hafer was compelled to continue and finish what her sister could not.

“These beautiful starts and unframed paintings could not be put in a drawer or tossed in a dumpster. These pieces are part of who Donna was, and I was going to find a way to make them a meaningful tribute to her and her grateful spirit” said Hafer.

After years of taking ‘Sisters Trips’ together, Margi and her sister, Donna, started turning these trips into Watercolor Workshop Trips. Their mutual love for painting brought them closer than ever, traveling to watercolor and collage workshops several times a year. Margi and Donna honed their skills and continued sharing their craft with a variety of communities.

In her early seventies, Donna was diagnosed with stage IV Melanoma, and “was determined to beat the beast, doing the things she loved” boasted Hafer.

During her last 3-4 years of life, Donna’s eyesight gradually failed due to the cancer and radiation that compromised her optic nerve, depriving her of creating paintings and collages, along with driving and writing as well.

In an effort to honor Donna and her talent, Margi created "The Sisters Project".

Over sixty artists have chosen various pieces of Donna's unfinished works and completed them with watercolor, collage, or mixed media techniques of their choice.

Many of the collaborating artists also wrote a short artist statement about their collaboration.

“The Sisters Project” book is a tribute to Donna, her artistic journey, and to the wonderful collaborating artists whom have helped finish her work.

These works will be available for purchase, and proceeds will go to a multitude of local charities, making a difference in the communities Donna so loved.

A reception will be held at the Vogt gallery on Friday, July 12th, 6-9 p.m., with light refreshments, a book signing, and jazz music in the Gazebo.

Artwork purchased that night may be taken home at the end of the reception. Most of the artwork is for sale, with 100% of the proceeds going to charities.

Patrons who purchase the artwork will choose from a list of charities to make a tax deductible donation to, in payment for the art, and in memory of Donna Lee Johnston.

These charities include:
• The American Cancer Society
• JourneyCare Hospice
• The North Shore University Health System Foundation
• The Salvation Army
• Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago
• The Cancer Support Center in Mokena, Misericordia in Chicago
• Lincoln-Way Special Recreation Association
• The Crisis Center of South Suburbia,
• PAWS in Tinley Park
• The Frankfort KidsWork Museum
• The Lincoln-Way Area Chorale
• The Tall Grass Arts Association in Park Forest
• The Frankfort Arts Association
• Union Street Gallery in Chicago Heights
• Finally, a special support fund for Cici Belpedio(8 years old) who is fighting the rare disease called Juvenile Dermatomyositis.