Students Sell Artwork to Raise Money for World Central Kitchen
Artformeals
Artformeals is an online shop that sells artwork made by volunteers to raise money for World Central Kitchen, an organization that provides emergency food relief to communities around the world that are impacted by disaster. Photo courtesy of Artformeals.
Amid the uncertainty and instability of the COVID-19 pandemic, Nashitha Azeez ‘22 created an Etsy shop for volunteers to sell artwork and raise money for World Central Kitchen, an organization that provides emergency food relief to communities around the world that are impacted by disaster.
“I wanted to try to sell art, and I thought it would be good if the money I raised helped good causes,” Azeez said. “At the time I came up with this idea, my dad was working with a volunteer organization called Frontline Foods, which had the goal of feeding frontline workers and underprivileged communities during the pandemic, so I decided to start a shop to help them.”
Inspired by her dad’s volunteer work and her passion for art, Azeez
‘22 started the shop in July 2020. Frontline Foods, the organization they had originally intended on donating the funds to, became acquired by World Central Kitchen, but their goal of alleviating hunger for those affected by COVID-19 remained.
“It feels good knowing that even though the money coming from this shop is going to probably be a small percentage of the money World Central Kitchen gets, it still makes a difference and helps people,” Azeez said.
So far, they have had around five to six volunteers who have contributed to this cause. In addition, anyone is welcome to sign up and sell artwork. Reyna Wang ‘22 and Angela Liu ‘22 volunteered to sell their artwork on the Etsy shop and have found it very rewarding to help the community.
“I loved being able to challenge myself creatively and the freedom I had to create any artwork I wanted,” Wang said. “I felt happy that I was making an impact, even if it was a small one, by contributing to the World Central Kitchen.”
Their shop showcases various mediums of art such as sculptures, paintings, digital art, and more. Each art piece has a unique theme and message behind it.
“It’s really exciting to get an email that someone has bought something from the shop,” Azeez said. “So far, we have raised $40 by selling two artworks, but we’re hoping to raise more money.”
On the shop’s Etsy and Instagram page, @art_for_meals, there is a form for anyone to sign up and sell their art. If you would like to help raise money for World Central Kitchen and support Artformeals, you can follow them on Instagram at @art_for_meals and purchase an art piece from their Etsy shop.
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Angela Liu ‘22 depicts baked cookies in her art piece. “I wanted to create a nice, cozy feel with the warmth of food we should all be able to experience,” Liu said. To create this piece, she used colored pencils and some gel pens for lighter spots on black colored paper. Photo courtesy of Artformeals.
Artformeals'
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Nashitha Azeez ‘22 portrays a scene of working at night using candle light. “[My artwork] could represent the turmoil of overworking, or the joys of reflection late at night,” Azeez said. She used acrylic paints on a stretched canvas. Photo courtesy of Artformeals.
Artformeals'
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Reyna Wang ‘22 illustrates an oil painting that depicts a peaceful nature scene. “I wanted to convey a message of inspiration, that even if today looks dark, there will always be another sunrise that leads to a new day filled with hope,” Wang said. She started by sketching out a general layout of the painting and then added paint and small details. Photo courtesy of Artformeals
Artformeals'
Hi, I’m Nivrithi, one of the Dreamcatcher Poetry & Prose editors. I have always had a passion for writing and in my free time, I love to spend time...
