It only feels right to start my blog by sharing that I successfully raised $5,158 in 27 days on online fundraising platform, Indiegogo. I raised the funds first in foremost because I wholeheartedly believe in myself and the work that I love: artist-lead community development, mural making and facilitating creative ways for people to think critically about the places in which they dwell. Thank you to the 106 contributors who donated. I feel grateful, blessed and confident. I confirmed that I can do anything because I overcame fear and doubt and made a decision out of love and faith to follow my dream career path and look what happened: we raised $5,158, more than my original fundraising goal of $4,945! This blog is a platform for me to share my current school beautification project in Escuela de Patio Basica Filomena Canalda Gonzalez (Backyard Elementary School Filomena Canalda Gonzalez) in Villa Aura. Please feel free to check out the campaign here.
I WILL USE THIS BLOG TO HIGHLIGHT THE SCHOOL BEAUTIFICATION PROJECT AND OTHER IDEAS AND ENDEAVORS I FIND INNOVATIVE AND IMPORTANT.
Shout out to my contributors!
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Cannan McCaslin |
Ray Tucker |
One3snapshot |
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Jordyne Blaise |
Bob Martin |
Allison Nolan |
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Carolina Contreras |
Lybda Goldberg |
Sacha Simmons |
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Gregory Pope |
Jesse Naverez |
Sophia Zeinu |
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Monica Larenas |
Saundretta Caldwell |
Nneka Onwumere-Papillion |
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Samantha Pacamarra |
Anthony Pena |
Tawanna Dabney |
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Lauren Epshteyn |
Gentry Hoit |
Jonah Geil-Neufeld |
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sarah tanguy |
Katherine Tucker |
Flavia Rusznak |
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Jessica A. Rucker |
Margaret Gramins |
Lily A Varon |
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Arthur Chan |
HARRISON BEACHER |
Deion Simmons |
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Lizzie Black |
Shermica Farquhar |
Jinsun Bae |
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Ana Rebeca Castillo Matos |
Robert Scully |
Jeff Craven |
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Melissa Alvarado |
Kamila Przytula |
Regina Ringer |
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Ashley Mondie |
Chip Malt |
Jason Crawford |
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Gene Campbell |
Tim Daileader |
William J. (Bill) Jordan |
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Joseph DePaulo |
Kathleen McCabe |
Christian Hicks |
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albert s. chinappi |
Katya Nieburg |
Priscilla Mckie |
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Fani Brito |
Darien Batzer |
Meridith McGrath |
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Channing Mathews |
Alia Manshio |
Rebecca Gessler |
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Marilyn Mckie |
Alice Pelosi |
Olubukola Bamigboye |
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Pamela King |
Joel Stickney |
Tom Thees |
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Minnie Annan |
Camilla Hill |
Veronica Chapman |
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Candace Lai-Fang |
Latonya Bell |
Karen Barns |
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Briana Ragan |
Nancy Winkler |
Jennifer Galasso |
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Amelia Hintzen |
Shashi Prakash Tiwari |
Anthony Jones |
Next steps
I was in the U.S. networking my ideas and gained great perspective and resources that are guiding my vision to use art as a tool to address challenges in Dominican Republic and the U.S. I returned to the school November 1st and the students, kindergarten to 8th graders, welcomed me with such love, shouting “Hola Xaivier” as I visited each class and explained the next phases. I completed Phase 1: Needs Assessment, Phase II: Mural Design, and I am completing Phase III: Mural Design Transfer to be completed this week as scheduled, November 15. I will start painting with the students Monday, November 18.
Sustainability
I am ecstatic to have received the funding for the school beautification of the Filomena Canalda Gonzalez public school. In order to continue making a living and continue as an Innovative Initiative Consultant and offer out of the box projects to engage communities within the spaces they dwell I am:
- completing my website to market my skills and expertise
- finishing a proposal for the Ministry of Culture in the DR
- networking and bouncing ideas around to shop for collaborations and additional resources
- researching best practices
I delivered the contribution perks to many individuals already and will send the rest between October 31 andJanuary 31st and will keep you updated.
