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Local Woman starts non-profit for young artists
By Collin Czarnecki
[email protected]
NEW SMYRNA BEACH - Regina Wise is constantly surrounded by art. She spent 30 years as an art teacher and now spends most of her time helping out at the Artist Workshop.
But her canvas is slightly different than a painter's; it's not a blank piece of paper but rather the minds of young artists.
"A kid who creates something has a different level of self-esteem," said Ms. Wise. "And I have a desire to help children grow their self-esteem."
To initiate that growth Ms. Wise has recently launched a non-profit called Art Is...Creation, Inc. The nonprofit will help fund local youth and teens so they can attend summer art camps, mission trips and other art programs.
Teaching and mentoring young artists is nothing new to Ms. Wise. After being an art teacher in Pennsylvania and then in Deland, she has been the coordinator for the New Smyrna Beach High School art show for the past five years.
"I've always wanted to be more servicing to youth in the community through art - that's where my heart is. I think I have made a difference so far, and I want to make a bigger one," Ms. Wise said. "So I thought, 'how can I help in a bigger way so that we can fund youth (programs).'"
And that's how Art Is...Creation, Inc. came to fruition. The non-profit will also hold a week-long art camp this summer at the end of June called the Teen Extreme Art Camp for students in 6th through 12th grade. During the camp, teens will learn about famous artists, drawing techniques and it will also provide an opportunity for students in advanced placement to complete assignments for their portfolio.
While there are a few art camps in the city for younger children, there aren't any for teens, which is one of the reasons she wanted to start the program.
"There's nothing really set up in town for that age group and I want to give them a place to go to," she said.
Ms. Wise is still working out the details about where the camp will be held, but she's aiming for it to take place June 27 through July 1 with a cost of $75.
With her newly founded non-profit and as a former art teacher, Ms. Wise is frequently surrounded by the connections she's made through art. Just a few weeks ago she looked in the phonebook for a maintenance man to come to her home. When the door opened, to her surprise, it was one of her former students.
"He said, 'wow, you were my art teacher. Without you I wouldn't have been able to make the design I use on my truck.'"
"That, to me, is just so rewarding," said Ms. Wise with a smile.
With Art Is...Creation, Inc., Ms. Wise hopes to make many more connections like that, but she can't do it without the help of the community through sponsorships and donations.
"I would like to grow it to something substantial, but you have to take baby steps."
For more information, visit www.artiscreation.org.
[email protected]
NEW SMYRNA BEACH - Regina Wise is constantly surrounded by art. She spent 30 years as an art teacher and now spends most of her time helping out at the Artist Workshop.
But her canvas is slightly different than a painter's; it's not a blank piece of paper but rather the minds of young artists.
"A kid who creates something has a different level of self-esteem," said Ms. Wise. "And I have a desire to help children grow their self-esteem."
To initiate that growth Ms. Wise has recently launched a non-profit called Art Is...Creation, Inc. The nonprofit will help fund local youth and teens so they can attend summer art camps, mission trips and other art programs.
Teaching and mentoring young artists is nothing new to Ms. Wise. After being an art teacher in Pennsylvania and then in Deland, she has been the coordinator for the New Smyrna Beach High School art show for the past five years.
"I've always wanted to be more servicing to youth in the community through art - that's where my heart is. I think I have made a difference so far, and I want to make a bigger one," Ms. Wise said. "So I thought, 'how can I help in a bigger way so that we can fund youth (programs).'"
And that's how Art Is...Creation, Inc. came to fruition. The non-profit will also hold a week-long art camp this summer at the end of June called the Teen Extreme Art Camp for students in 6th through 12th grade. During the camp, teens will learn about famous artists, drawing techniques and it will also provide an opportunity for students in advanced placement to complete assignments for their portfolio.
While there are a few art camps in the city for younger children, there aren't any for teens, which is one of the reasons she wanted to start the program.
"There's nothing really set up in town for that age group and I want to give them a place to go to," she said.
Ms. Wise is still working out the details about where the camp will be held, but she's aiming for it to take place June 27 through July 1 with a cost of $75.
With her newly founded non-profit and as a former art teacher, Ms. Wise is frequently surrounded by the connections she's made through art. Just a few weeks ago she looked in the phonebook for a maintenance man to come to her home. When the door opened, to her surprise, it was one of her former students.
"He said, 'wow, you were my art teacher. Without you I wouldn't have been able to make the design I use on my truck.'"
"That, to me, is just so rewarding," said Ms. Wise with a smile.
With Art Is...Creation, Inc., Ms. Wise hopes to make many more connections like that, but she can't do it without the help of the community through sponsorships and donations.
"I would like to grow it to something substantial, but you have to take baby steps."
For more information, visit www.artiscreation.org.
