Art Start Northwest Donates 2,000 Sketchbooks to Local Elementary Schools

On December 4, 2024, it was reported that Art Start Northwest, located within Edmonds’ Graphite Arts Center, has donated 2,000 sketchbooks and various art supplies to five local elementary schools for the 2024-2025 school year. The schools benefiting from this initiative include Chase Lake, College Place, Cedar Valley, Lynndale, and Spruce Elementary, focusing on students from lower-income families as indicated by Title I data. Founders Mary Olsen and Missy Hancock believe every student deserves access to quality art materials, which can significantly enhance their creativity and collaboration in the classroom. They assert that providing equal materials reduces self-consciousness and fosters creative interaction. In addition to the supplies, the Graphite Arts Center plans to host an art show in April 2025 to showcase students' work.

The article also highlights workshops provided by Art Start, aimed at equipping teachers with tools to incorporate visual arts into their curriculum, covering various artistic techniques and methods to engage students through art. Overall, this initiative reflects a commitment to fostering a supportive and creative educational environment.