(WSVN) - A South Florida organization is on a mission to bring art to one of Miami’s oldest neighborhoods and show students’ work at one of the biggest art shows in the world. Kevin Ozebek paints the picture in today’s 7 Spotlight.
A picture is worth a thousand words, and for these budding artists, a picture could be worth money, too.
These are some of the youngest students at the recently opened Art of Healing Community Center in Miami.
During the after-school program, they learn all about taking a concept and using their imagination to bring it to life.
Lisa Leggz: “How do you feel about smiles?”
Artist and model Lisa Leggz opened Art of Healing as a way to create a safe, artistic space for women and children who often have no access to art programs or even art supplies.
Lisa Leggz: “I want it to be a safe haven, a place where you can be free to be yourself and tap into yourself.”
Lisa chose this building in the heart of one of Miami’s oldest neighborhoods, Overtown, as the ideal place to bring more beauty into the world.
Lisa Leggz: “Here’s a perfect space where it’s needed, you know?”
Lisa is still renovating, but the ground floor is already hosting various art classes, and her after-school program grabbed the attention of digital artist Cory Van Lew.
Cory Van Lew: “Every kid is an artist.”
Cory’s work has been featured around the world. He plans to teach the students about digital art, including creating their own NFTs, a popular art form where images are accessed online and can be sold or traded for high prices.
Cory Van Lew: “NFTs allow kids to, like, understand what monetizing artwork is in a way.”
Their digital art will be featured at Art Basel in December.
While these little artists haven’t quite learned how to keep their paint on the paper, they are learning an important lesson.
Lisa Leggz: “Willpower, determination, perseverance and I think if we use art to do it, it’ll be sweeter for them to learn.”
And that’s a picture worth more than a thousand words.
Kevin Ozebek, 7News.
To donate to the Art of Healing, click here.
And if there’s someone or something you think we should feature, send us an email at 7spotlight@wsvn.com.
Copyright 2024 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.