Calling all art fans! On Tuesday, March 24, 2015, ALEX AND ANI | CHARITY BY DESIGN and the Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation unveiled the Roger Williams Art Studio, a state of the art creative space at Roger Williams Middle School in Providence, Rhode Island.
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This beautiful art studio was brought to life using funds generated from the Celtic Knot Charm Bangle to brand and renovate two art studios (the second studio, located in Massachusetts, will debut in April 2015). Since the launch of the Celtic Knot bangle in March 2013, ALEX AND ANI | CHARITY BY DESIGN has donated over $420,000 to the organization, making this opportunity possible!
The Mayor of Providence, Jorge Elorza, as well as members of the Providence Public School District and Roger Williams Middle School, representatives from the Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation, players from the Boston Celtics, and special guests from the Boston Celtics organization were all in attendance as the space was unveiled to students for the first time.
PeaceLove Foundation, a fellow ALEX AND ANI | CHARITY BY DESIGN partner, gave students an opportunity to take part in two projects focused around still photography and expressive 2D art. The ALEX AND ANI production team hosted the photography session where students were taught how to shoot stills using models and subsequent editing techniques on the new computers. PeaceLove hosted the expressive 2D art session where students designed their own ALEX AND ANI charm through mandala symbolism.
Matt Kaplan, co-founder of PeaceLove Foundation, helped kids channel their artistic vision with a mandala project.
“It was so great to see how excited the kids were to get this new media arts room and to have us here to celebrate with them,” Boston Celtics Forward, Brandon Bass, said. “We stressed the importance of education and how hard work can help you accomplish anything!”
Jorge Elorza, Mayor of Providence, joined in on the fun and created his own mandala.
“The new media arts room at Roger Williams Middle School is a world-class facility that will help foster creative expression and prepare our students for the jobs of the future,” said Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza. “I thank the Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation and ALEX AND ANI for their generous investment in our public schools. Creativity is ingrained in the fabric of our community and investments like this will ensure that Providence remains a leader in the arts for years to come.”
Brandon Bass, Boston Celtics Forward, Jorge Elorza, Mayor of Providence, and more posed with students.
Nicki Maher, Vice President of ALEX AND ANI | CHARITY BY DESIGN, spoke to the excited crowd about pursuing their dreams.
We are honored to be able to give back to the community in a meaningful, positive way! Thank you for your support of our mission.
To view more photos from the event, please visit our CHARITY BY DESIGN Facebook page.