Built for Connection: Our Event with GSU + Fostering Together
Over the past two years, Paint Love has had the privilege of bringing some of Atlanta's greatest artists to serve and inspire hundreds of incredible students. At Paint Love we believe art is therapeutic, emotionally healing, and ultimately transformational. That is why we work to bring the best artistic environments to our community's youth, particularly to those who face or are vulnerable to face difficulty including: stress, depression, abuse, neglect, grief, poverty, and self esteem issues.
Built for Connection Volunteers helping with Check in!
On an individual level, art can positively impact self-esteem, confidence, and even happiness. But in a collective environment, art can be even more powerful, bringing together a community, creating opportunities for communication, and building connections.
This couldn't have been demonstrated any better than it was just a few weeks ago at Georgia State University, where we were able to host our largest Paint Love event to date.
Our Volunteers from GSU + our Paint Love Artists. Such a big group!
With the volunteer support of 40 Georgia State University art students and four Paint Love artists, we created an event specifically tailored to foster children and families around the theme "Built for Connection." Partnering with Fostering Together, we were able to invite families from thirteen different agencies including four DFCS county offices.
Paint Love artist and Licensed Master Social Worker, Hannah Kimbrough helped our staff come up with the theme "Built for Connection" for this special event. We love this idea.
We as humans are built to be connected. When we work together in life (or in art) we can create something far more beautiful than if we tackled the project alone.
With our theme in place, four Paint Love artists, Mac Stewart, Joe Dreher, Ross Boone, and Sabrina Barilone, volunteered to lead projects. Each artist taught a creative technique infused with their personal style. Our guests were able to walk through the space (graciously provided for free by GSU) and stop in at each of the artists' tables and create works of art (with many supplies generously donated by our friends at Binders.)
Take a look:
Mac Stewart working one on one with a child
Mac Stewart and his gang of GSU volunteers
Mac Stewart:
Atlanta Visual Artist
Created 3D paper sculptures.
Joe Dreher:
Atlanta visual artist and Artist in Residence with The Creatives Project at the Goat Farm Arts Center
Created portraits using clear acetate paper and mixed media paper and paint and frames from Ikea.
Joe Dreher's Project at Built for Connection
Joe's volunteers trying out the techinique
A child practising the technique on Madison
Paint Love Artists Ross Boone teaching the technique to GSU volunteers.
Paint Love Artists Caitlin Chase and Kim Warner working at the Thank You table!
GSU Volunteer helping a family with their word art collage!
Ross Boone:
Illustrator and Writer
Ross created positive word art pieces around the idea "I am" to represent all of the strengths and characteristics of each family member
GSU Volunteer working one on one with a child!
GSU Volunteers helping teach Sabrina's technique.
Sabrina Barilone:
Art Teacher in Cobb County
GSU Volunteers prepping for the event.
Sabrina created face mugs that fit together when stacked using air dry clay.