Earlier this month, the Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Virginia Peninsula launched a fundraiser in hopes of hosting youth art workshops and commissioning a work of art for the organization.
BBBS, which kicked off its fundraiser Aug. 20, has set a goal of raising $5,500 by Sept. 24. The funds would pay for the art workshop scheduled for late September. As of Wednesday night, BBBS has raised $280.
The Raising Awareness Through Art workshop, which aims to attract children from across Hampton Roads, will feature Larry “Poncho” Brown as the artist-in-residence who will work with the children Sept. 23.
“I think children who grow up in the arts have a better understanding of how to grow, how to look at things differently, and, as I say, paint the world in different colors,” King said.
Brown has also been commissioned to create artwork for BBBS. His piece will be unveiled at a ceremony Sept. 24. The ceremony will also include an exhibit of artwork completed by the children at the workshop the day before.
“Poncho’s a great friend of mine. We’ve been friends for over 20 years and I’ve had the opportunity to see his work grow and progress over the years,” Ayanna King, CEO of BBBS’ local chapter, said in a video message on the organization’s fundraising page. “I’m quite honored that he decided to partner with Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Virginia Peninsula and commence this big piece around capturing the essence of what Big Brothers Big Sisters’ legacy has been through his art.”
BBBS has experienced a drop in donations this year that total about $20,000, King said in the video. Because of that cut, BBBS launched this 34-day fundraising effort to offset the costs of the upcoming program.
To offer a donation for Raising Awareness Through Art, visit the BBBS’ fundraising website by clicking here.
