Cultivating a Passion for Art: Inspiring and Educating our Youth
Starts with Art is a tribute to Kathi Parisi, who unfortunately passed away on June 4, 2020. It's a continuation of the program that she started in 2017, to encourage children and teens to develop their creativity and self-expression through art. We aim to achieve this by providing financial assistance to tax-exempt organizations that share our mission and uphold the legacy of the program established by Kathi. Funding decisions are made quarterly in January, March, June, and October, with a maximum request limit of $1000.
KPSWA fosters the love of art in children and teens by empowering them to develop creativity and self-expression.
Our goals are to provide comprehensive art education to children and teens, ensuring they have the resources they need to explore their creativity. We support this by supplying art materials that align with our mission, particularly focusing on increasing our impact within the Chicagoland area, especially in socio-economically disadvantaged communities. We aim to establish ongoing partnerships with organizations that share our vision, and we are committed to being responsive to requests that align with our mission, ensuring that we address the needs of those we serve.
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Art Camp Scholarships
Starts with Art donated tuition for three children to attend Summer Art Camp in La Grange taught by Heidi Becker and Heidi Peters. The classes offered included collage, fiber art, printmaking and fantastic creatures.
The purpose of these scholarships are to provide tuition for children who normally would not be able to attend summer camp, and have a passion for art. The camps are held in an actual artists studio in La Grange, IL. Your donations help sponsor scholarships like this. Please consider a donation to continue Kathi's legacy.
The purpose of these scholarships are to provide tuition for children who normally would not be able to attend summer camp, and have a passion for art. The camps are held in an actual artists studio in La Grange, IL. Your donations help sponsor scholarships like this. Please consider a donation to continue Kathi's legacy.
June 4, 2024, Starts with Art was awarded a $1000 grant from the Prairie Trail Federation through the Wise Men Holiday Tree fundraising effort in a ceremony at the La Grange Methodist Church, followed by a gathering at the Elm Restaurant. It was very special because it was the fourth anniversary of Kathi's passing and we were allowed to speak about Kathi and our efforts to continue her legacy at this event. Attendees were very moved and acknowledged this at the post gathering.
Please consider a donation to Starts with Art through the donation above to help us continue Kathi's legacy.
Please consider a donation to Starts with Art through the donation above to help us continue Kathi's legacy.
Art Supplies To Support Mental Wellness Day for High School Teens.
May 31 2024, Starts with Art had a tent at Orr Academy High School Mental Wellness Day teaching how art can be an outlet to express and deal with trauma. We were one of several vendors including Rush Hospital and Counselors meeting with students coordinated by school social worker, Kevin Jackson. Students received counseling, learned to meditate, participated in walking yoga and did a little art therapy. Students created covers for their journal/sketchbooks using collage from magazines and supplied papers. The booth was so popular that tables had to be added to accommodate all students that wanted to participate. It was amazing to the SWA team, the amount of care, time and thought that these high schoolers put into their books. They were given their books, a glue stick, retractable pen of many colors and encouraged to take magazines/papers with them to continue their books. Orr, located on the westside of Chicago on Pulaski, has no current program in the arts due to funding and that includes visual arts, Theatre, music, radio/TV and more. Your donations helped sponsor art supplies for this mental health day.
Fine Art Scholarships Awarded At Riverside/Brookfield High School
On Thursday, May 16th, 2024, Starts With Art attended the Riverside/Brookfield High School Local Scholarship Awards Ceremony. Starts With Art handed out $3500 in college scholarship to students attending college, in a program involved in the arts. This year's recipient's were Matthew Morgan, Isabella Bernacchi, Annabel Krueger, Makala Angshed, Mia Sahagun, Chloe Slivika. Congratulations and good luck to our recipients in future endeavors. Thank you to our fabulous donors who made these scholarships happen!
Art kits donated to Share Food Share Love Food Pantry
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Yearly Recaps
Kathi Parisi Starts With Art -
Our Mission: KPSWA fosters the love of art in children and teens by empowering them to develop creativity and self-expression.
Our Vision: Introduce, Educate, and Enhance the love art in children and teens.
Our Values:
Our Goals:
KPSWA is a 501(c)3 extension of The LaGrange Art League.
Our Vision: Introduce, Educate, and Enhance the love art in children and teens.
Our Values:
- Inspiring
- Kindness
- Inclusiveness
- Acceptance
Our Goals:
- Educate – provide art education to children and teens.
- Support – provide art materials aligning with our mission.
- Exposure – increase impact within Chicagoland especially in areas with socio-economic disadvantages.
- Partnerships – establish ongoing partnerships with organizations aligning with our mission.
- Responsive – respond to requests aligning with our mission
KPSWA is a 501(c)3 extension of The LaGrange Art League.