SPARK Wants to Heal the Community Through Art
SPARK, a group of Columbus artists, came into being on December 15, 2015 when founding members Rachel “Smiley” White, Stevie Mauro, and Juanilda Diolosa’s friend Keely had to move away because she couldn’t support herself with
her art here.
“Columbus didn’t appreciate art,” said White, “So, we came up with the idea to change that.”White, 32, works at Freeze Frame Frozen Yogurt Shoppe on Broadway and teaches art at the Fox Elementary after-school program. White learned about a miniature art project in Atlanta where someone can put $5 in a cigarette
machine and get a small painted canvas. That sounded ideal, but SPARK didn’t
have money for such an investment, or anything else for that matter.
With money saved from Christmas and a $200 donation, SPARK purchased a
gumball machine and placed it in Freeze Frame. For just fifty cents people can get
a piece of miniature art like a keychain, jewelry, painted rocks, magnets, and other
pieces, all made by local Columbus artists. Any profits go to buying more supplies.
“It’s a way to get art out into the community,” said White, “and a way to give local Columbus artists exposure.”
Since its inception, SPARK has brought arts and crafts to 33 different community events.They work with children and also visit nursing homes and special needs facilities. FrankBraski, co-founder of ColumbusMakesIT!, donated a button-making machine to turn children’s art into wearable buttons.
“I really like seeing the look on people’s faces when they didn’t think they were creative and then they create something beautiful with the tools we gave them,” said White.
In addition to the Miniature Art Project, SPARK has the Spread Kindness Project where they make and leave inspirational cards around Columbus to “brighten a stranger’s day.” SPARK hopes to become a full-fledged non-profit organization. “We feel that art
can heal and we’d like to heal our community through art,” said White.
Currently, SPARK is looking for artists to participate by donating art to fit the 2-inch capsules. Donations can be dropped off at Freeze Frame Yogurt. SPARK may be contacted at sparkart360@gmail.com, SPARK@Facebook, and sparkart360@Instagram.
