The Center for Eating Disorders at Sheppard Pratt Reveals the 2014 Selected Poster for “Love Your Tree” Body Image Campaign

The Center for Eating Disorders at Sheppard Pratt recognized Anna Karwacki, a senior at Maryvale Preparatory School, for her artwork which was chosen as this year’s “Love Your Tree” top selected poster. “Love Your Tree” is an annual campaign organized by The Center for Eating Disorders as a way to reach young people in schools and communities across Maryland with positive messages about body image and self-esteem. Karwacki’s piece, entitled “Cherry Blossom,” was selected from among 300 poster submissions, each portraying the campaign’s theme of confronting narrow definitions of beauty and embracing body diversity. As part of receiving this honor, Karwacki’s poster image will be used on all of the Love Your Tree campaign’s 2014 promotional materials throughout Maryland schools and communities.

“This year’s campaign attracted many talented participants with diverse portrayals of the ‘Love Your Tree’ theme,” said Steven Crawford, M.D., co-director of The Center for Eating Disorders at Sheppard Pratt. “‘Love Your Tree” is a valuable educational tool that uses art-integration to teach students the importance of positive body image and body acceptance in self and others. The Center is proud to sponsor this important program and we applaud all of this year’s participants.”

Students from more than 20 public and private middle and high schools across the state participated in the eighth annual “Love Your Tree” campaign, which was inspired by the work of award-winning playwright, Eve Ensler, author of “The Good Body.” Each student who submitted a poster had their artwork displayed at The Conference Center at Sheppard Pratt for National Eating Disorders Awareness Week (Feb. 23 – March 2) and the exhibit will remain on public display until March 15th. A special reception for students and families was held at the same location on Feb. 25, where many posters, including Karwacki’s, received special awards and recognition. Since the inception of “Love Your Tree” in 2007, more than 2,000 posters have been submitted to The Center for Eating Disorders’ Love Your Tree Campaign. 

Julia Andersen, art therapist and creator of Love Your Tree explained that, “Using art to communicate an understanding of body positivity and an appreciation for diversity helps to extend the messaging beyond the individual students and out into the schools, families and larger communities. The visual messaging throughout the exhibit is stunning and impactful.” 

Schools interested in participating in the 9th annual “Love Your Tree” poster campaign, which will launch in July 2014, should contact Kate Clemmer at kclemmer@sheppardpratt.org or (410) 938-5252.

About The Center for Eating Disorders at Sheppard Pratt

The Center for Eating Disorders at Sheppard Pratt, located in Towson, Md., offers a comprehensive continuum of treatment services for the patient with complex eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating and compulsive overeating. The continuum includes inpatient, day hospital and intensive outpatient services, as well as ongoing outpatient treatment provided by the Center for Eating Disorders. The program is designed to respond to both the psychiatric and medical aspects of eating disorders, with a comprehensive array of mental health and consultative medical resources. For more information about the Center for Eating Disorders at Sheppard Pratt, visit www.eatingdisorder.org or www.eatingdisorder.org/blog.