ORGANIZATIONS:

                 

 

ARTISTS:

Artist/ Director / Lead Teacher of MNA classes and programs:

     Mission Statement:

With over twenty years of experience in professional art, I have worked with organizations, galleries, and collectors both nationally and internationally. I graduated Magna Cum Laude from the Savannah College of Art and Design and was awarded a fellowship to earn my master’s degree in Sculpture from the University of Florida. My artwork is represented by Paradigm Gallery in Philadelphia. Through them I have exhibited and sold artworks at the Art Basel in Miami.  My work has been featured in international art magazines such as High Fructose, Juxtapoz, Graffiti Art, and Create.  

Which brings me to my mission here in Gainesville. I grew up in Gainesville, and I call it home. I created Made New Arts with literally nothing but a desire to see my city thrive, which I believe begins with our youth. I began volunteering with Partnership for Strong Families teaching foster youth in their emergency and long-term care. I created an art program that would give children who are considered at a higher risk to be subjugated to, or perpetuators of crime a second chance through art.  

I saw a pattern of children in various emergency shelters where I would volunteer regularly spending time in the DJJ facility in Gainesville as well. Consistency is an important aspect of establishing habits that lead to success and wanting to see these kids succeed more than anything, I decided to also volunteer and teach art class at the DJJ.  

I do everything in Made New Arts out of my own pocket or with community art supply donations. I do this because I believe in the potential of these young people to heal and grow. My goal is to be a positive source of consistency in the lives of these young people; art is just the conduit this is presented through. For change to take root, I believe it must begin creatively; it must imagine what seems impossible. Art is powerful to initiate change because it presents nothing more than an opportunity. The individual decides in that moment, what will I make? What will I show the world? It’s a chance to have an inner voice be heard, it’s a chance to bring a dream to life.  

My dream is to grow Made New Arts into full time work, striving to give kids free access to art classes, learn trades and gain confidence not only in themselves but in their community…that they will know we have their backs, they have someone they can turn to, so at no point in time does crime or drug abuse become an option.  

I occasionally cross paths with some of the children upon their release.  They light up and when they tell me they’re doing good and still drawing…some have even shared their artwork with me. This is more than an art program; this may be a lifeline for some of these individuals. I hope you will work alongside this effort to make Gainesville a beautiful destination and a great place to live.