Happy First Anniversary!
Dear Readers,
Happy 4th of July! Today marks the first anniversary of Acrylic Dreams. As a self-taught artist, I always believed that my work would be nothing more than a hobby. I’m proud to say that with the help of my friends, family, and teammates, being both an artist and an activist has become an integral part of my identity. Here are just a few of the amazing things the Dream Team accomplished this year:
1 public gallery event in collaboration with Touching Heart
3 partnerships with Touching Heart, the FAITH Organization, and Mozaic
4 services, including paintings, custom skateboards, photography, and graphic design
5 artists who donated pieces
6 regional representatives across different states
26 blog posts and updates
34 unique paintings
53 unique photos
1500 dollars generated at our first gallery
3145 dollars funding education for Syrian refugees
I’m so grateful for all of the work the team has put in to make Acrylic Dreams take off. We have many exciting projects planned for our second year, including:
2 gallery events showcasing student artwork
The opening of a summer art and chess camp for Syrian and American children
Recruiting regional representatives in more states
Creating a team of student journalists, writers, and poets to manage the blog
A service trip to visit Small Projects Istanbul in Turkey
Last but not least, I want to give a shout-out to some important individuals who made this year a success. I would like to thank all of the girls in my math class - plus Ariana - for their creative ideas and guidance. I also appreciate the support that the incredible women at Touching Heart gave me throughout my first gallery. Finally, I also owe a big thank you to my parents and twin brother for their endless love and encouragement.
Thanks again, and I hope we can build more bridges together!
Noor