ArtPrize top-5 contender to wrap up Wheelhouse Talks

Founder and chairperson of ‘Fashion Has Heart’ Michael Hyacinthe will be the final speaker in the current season of the Wheelhouse Talks hosted by the Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies at Grand Valley State University. 

Michael Hyacinthe Wheelhouse Talk

Wednesday, March 12, 12:30 p.m.

Urban Institute For Contemporary Arts, Grand Rapids

Hyacinthe, a former ArtPrize top-5 finisher and U.S. Navy veteran, will speak about what motivated him to create the nonprofit organization ‘Fashion Has Heart,’ which aims to pair wounded veterans with opportunities and experts in art, design and fashion. The organization regularly pairs with several wounded veterans to create custom boot designs and T-shirts which are displayed as art pieces and sold to benefit the nonprofit. 

Each veteran gets expert guidance from artists, designers and fashion experts who can help them convey their message visually through the designs they put on the shirts and boots. The program has been in existence since 2010, and the apparel was first shared with the public at ArtPrize. FHH’s newest program is Vet’s Voice, an online platform that allows veterans to share their stories with the world. 

“Michael has been an inspiration to me since he was a student in one of my classes, and his work with Fashion Has Heart continues to confirm my belief that the work he is doing is truly meaningful to our wounded veterans,” said Gleaves Whitney, director of the Hauenstein Center. “It’s a privilege to welcome Michael to Grand Valley to speak on such an important topic.”

Hyacinthe’s presentation concludes the 2013-14 season of the Wheelhouse Talks; the next season is expected to begin next fall. Other Hauenstein Center events, including a major two-day conference focusing on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder on March 28-29, will continue through the spring and summer.

For more information, visit hauensteincenter.org.