by Joella Still, Interim Volunteer Coordinator
It has been amazing to work with Kim. In just the short time she’s been working with us, she has volunteered at multiple Family Art Night events and in the classroom, assisting teaching artist Julianna and her students. Kim has been so inspired by our mission that she also encouraged and referred her friends to volunteer with us! We are so thankful for the time and energy she has dedicated to P.S. ARTS!
Volunteering with P.S. ARTS has truly been an enjoyable experience and one I have found that gives back to me just as much if not more than I give to it.
Tell us about yourself!
I was born and raised in the Bay Area (Oakland to be exact), I was afforded the kind of diverse elementary education that many would hope for their child. I remember music classes where we learned songs that celebrated not only Christmas but also Hanukkah and Kwanza. Plays and recitals where we would reenact Native American folklore and an art studio. Yes, a full art studio, where the paint flowed freely, plaster casts weren’t just for broken arms, and where, each year, I committed to making a self-portrait made of clay, and every year my nose evolved because let’s face it, noses are difficult to craft! As a child, I didn’t realize how fortunate I was, not only to have this kind of education but also the kind of parents and community who encouraged the creativity and freedom to play as mine did.
Looking back now, I find most of the things I am proud of are the ones that involve creation, creativity, and an unconventional way of reaching a goal. Even today, working in experiential marketing, my favorite part of the work I do is finding creative solutions for my clients and the connections that we ultimately make. It is my hope that the small contributions I make, conventional and unconventional, influence and inspire in the same ways others have for me.
Volunteering with P.S. ARTS gives me the opportunity to provide the same support to others and expose a younger generation to the wonder and self-confidence I found in creating.
What made you want to volunteer with P.S. ARTS?
Beyond teaching me tangible skills that have given me a step up in my industry, being a student of the arts taught me resilience, problem-solving, and creative thinking which has been invaluable in navigating life. Some of the most influential people in my life were artists in their own ways, and I valued the support they offered. Volunteering with P.S. ARTS gives me the opportunity to provide the same support to others and expose a younger generation to the wonder and self-confidence I found in creating.
What is your favorite part about volunteering with P.S. ARTS or what has been your favorite experience?
The people, both “little” and “big,” have definitely been the best part about volunteering with P.S. ARTS. The little ones are so excited and by taking the time to listen to them and observe their quirks and thought processes I’ve gained a lot of perspective and mindfulness about my own way of interacting with others. With the “big” ones, aka the adults, I’ve never failed to be impressed by the many things they are doing, creating, and the dedication they have towards the program. Volunteering with P.S. ARTS has truly been an enjoyable experience and one I have found that gives back to me just as much, if not more, than I give to it.
Thank you, Kim! Volunteers like Kim are a vital part of what makes P.S. ARTS programs succeed. Sign up to volunteer today!
