As I was in the swimming pool with my youngest, I watched my oldest creating art and then giving it away to total strangers. I wanted to jump out of the pool and go collect all of their art. I didn’t, I stayed in the pool and watched them. So many questions ran through my mind, yet one stood out. Why would you give your art to random people?

I asked them, “Why are you giving your art away to strangers?” They replied, “I want to share my art, it makes me happy.” I was in a bit of shock. I said, “Ok I hear you and that is YOUR art.” They said, “Maybe my art makes someone smile or maybe they will want to do art.” For the next few weeks I just watched how freely they gave their art away and watched the reaction of people getting their art.

As a young artist I was shamed for my art, made to feel guilty that I even put marks on the page. I connected my own experiences as a youthful artist to why I had a negative reaction to my kiddo freely handing their art out to strangers. I would have never given my art out to people, as I was made to think I was not worthy of calling myself an artist. My art works was labeled childish, stupid, ridiculous, a waste of time. As I observed my kiddo, my inner child awakened to a new way of thinking and sharing art.

I have always been an artist, yet I was always leveled down, bullied and harshly criticized for my creations. As I watched them in aw, I kept thinking, what if art is the answer for us. What if art, in all of its forms, is a way to collectively come together and reach the freedom we crave. A week later our legacy became clear. Another kiddo who had been bringing video games to swim came with their sketchbook and colored pencils. This came the week after my kiddo sat with with their parent and drew while their sibling was swimming. Even though there was clarity, I still had a lot of questions and doubts.

I questioned if art was something I could do and sustain us on. I was raised in abusive zionist environment that tried to beat into me life was only about how much money you had and the extravagant trophies you had to show. Being nothing like them, I fought to find my place free from zionism. Art was how I expressed myself, dealt with the abuses, could hear my own thoughts and feelings. Art has always lived within me and it was something I knew I wanted to cultivate with my kiddos. Yet it was beat into my bones that doing art never made money. I did not and still do not have money as my main focal point. With what my kiddos show me and how we use art in our crew, I knew there had to be a way to thrive forward.

Through many discussions with a business mentor, our team of supporters and lots of scribbling in my idea book, we have found a way forward. My kiddos and team gave me the courage to do what fills me and feeds me, ART. Together we have created Art is Not A Privilege. A place where all are welcome to create and discover, nurture and grow their inner artist. Not all artists are a gallery artist, yet most of us are overlooked and non-existent. Truth shows you we are here and we will continue to make art.

No one should be restricted from creating due to the financial burden of being an artist can take on us. The Arts in general have become a privilege. Where only those with money can experience, enjoy and engage in the artists’ experience. As a lifelong performing artist in various mediums, I believe art is what can connect us universally and build our collective communities towards liberation.

We are here to build community, make art and continue to explore and grow our own inner and outer artists. Join us in our movement.