Drawing in a Classroom Setting: Joy Discovers a New Passion

Program: Early Childhood Education

Joy had never worked with drawing in a classroom setting. That is, until Unleashing Potential provided art canvases to each of our afterschool sites. Joy loved the process, and took great pride in the work she’d accomplished. She kept asking if she could take the canvas home with her.

Unfortunately, the canvas was being used for Art & Soul, our annual fundraiser.

However, during Art & Soul, one of the donors learned of Joy’s story. So they intentionally bid to win her painting. Afterward, they coordinated to give the painting back.

Though it had been months since Joy had worked on her painting, she still remembered it. She was overjoyed when it came back as a gift!

The Drawing Is Ongoing…

This may seem like a one-time event, but it actually happened two years ago. And Joy is still involved with UP. In fact, she just finished summer enrichment camp! When recently asked about the painting, she still had it. And her favorite pastime is – you got it – drawing.

“I love when you draw, you just start with scribble scrabble, and then it takes shape into something,” she said.

Art & Soul XIII is scheduled for Friday, October 13, 2023. Join us for an opportunity to help children like Joy, and perhaps even bid on a piece of art from children like Joy in UP’s early childhood education and school-aged programs. Get your ticket today. www.upstl.org/up-events/art-soul-xiii/

*Actual student/name has been changed to protect child’s identity