Today we’d like to introduce you to Cassandra Sistrunk.
Cassandra, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Like most artist, I was born to create. As a teenager, I was awarded the opportunity to work as an artist apprentice for the city of Atlanta. During my years in this summer program, I worked directly under professional artists to learn and create original works. It opened my eyes to life as an artist and getting paid to do what you love.
Upon my graduation from Florida A&M University, I had no idea what I wanted to do for a career. I here I was with a business degree and no interest in working in Corporate America. My passion for working with youth and the arts led me to a job as an art teacher at a local church summer camp/after school program in Tallahassee. I absolutely loved it! The children were so eager and engaged. They asked me to open an art school so they could attend. It was the children at that church that inspired me to start Artistically Me.
In 2011 I moved home to Atlanta, and Artistically Me was established. I started the program by offering visual art classes to private schools, after-school programs and summer camps. I could tell the children yearned for artistic outlets, so I decided to bring in the dance and theater components.
In 2014 we had our first year of art, dance and theater summer camp in southwest Atlanta. Why southwest Atlanta? I grew up in southwest Atlanta. I know that side of the city could use more arts programming for youth, and I wanted to serve the community that raised me.
Since our first year, we have grown from having 7 campers to taking up to 55 campers where children have the opportunity to work directly under professional artists to learn new skills (sound familiar) while rehearsing for a play to perform at the end of the summer. Over the years we have put on a number of performances, from original plays to renditions of classics.
Visit our website to keep in touch with us so you won’t miss our next performance: www.ArtisticallyMe.org.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has definitely not been a smooth road. We have faced our number of challenges over the years. Our first year of Spring Break Camp we had to cancel because we had one (1) camper register. It was disheartening, but it helps me plan better for our first year of summer camp. We have also had to change locations a few times over the years because the bulk of our programming is seasonal, and it can be tricky securing a location for only a couple of months out of the year. Our locations have always remained in southwest Atlanta.
Fundraising is ultimately one of our continuous challenges. As with most non-profits, finding funding and raising money is key to success. We are always accepting monetary and in-kind donations for our programming. We also have Art Raffle fundraisers on our website where we raffle off an original work of art created by an artist on our team.
If you are interested in making a donation to our cause, please donate to our current fundraising campaign on our website www.ArtisticallyMe.org.
Artistically Me – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Artistically Me is an art education program for youth in Atlanta. Our mission is to provide our students with a quality education in a variety of art media, which will equip them with vital tools and techniques that will be essential throughout their adult lives.
We offer an art, dance and theater summer intensive camp for youth grades K – 8th where campers work under professional artists to learn new skills while rehearsing for a play at the end of the summer. We also offer mobile Paint Parties for youth and adults.
Our Paint Parties are a great way for beginner artists to create their own original works.
I am so proud of the success of our summer camp and paint parties. Our instructors are just as passionate as I am about encouraging the youth to grow as artists and leaders. I believe it is our staff’s dedication and unique programming that sets us apart from other art programs.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
This is a complex one because success is so relative. I would define success as perseverance. You are successful when you do not give up when times get tough.
Success is when you continue to pursue your dream regardless of circumstances and setbacks. It may sound corny, but this is success to me because you will never “arrive” if you don’t make the journey. In the journey lies the lessons learned which are successes of their own.
Pricing:
- Paint Parties that come to you! $20 per person
Contact Info:
- Address: 3350 Greenbriar Pkwy, SW Atlanta, GA 30331
- Website: www.ArtisticallyMe.org
- Phone: 678-834-9278
- Email: info@artisticallyme.org
- Instagram: @artisticallyme.atl
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArtisticallyMeAEP/
Image Credit:
Skyloveimages@gmail.com
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