GREEN BAY (NBC 26) — Mosaic Arts, Inc. in Green Bay is an arts advocacy organization that was founded back in 1979. They've been chosen as one of the 40 nonprofits who will receive funds from the 3rd annual Give BIG Green Bay event. Leaders with Mosaic Arts, Inc. said the money raised through the fundraiser will help them continue to support local artists and expand their programming in the community.
Mosaic Arts, Inc. is best known for putting on two popular festivals. They're Art Street in the summer and Artigras in the winter where artists can sell their unique creations.
"To have someone grow their career through one of our events is just rewarding to see," said Executive Director Silvija Jensen.
Mosaic Arts, Inc. focuses on education as well. Their U R Art classes combine literature and art.
"We go in and we kind of read through a book. We share the message in that book, and then kind of tailor the art programming to that," explained Jensen.
During their art workshops at the Micah Center, which is a daytime resource center for those working to overcome homelessness, participants are creating a coat of arms.
"We talked about, 'Who am I?' You know, 'What makes me, me? What makes me unique?'"
"It's empowering for them to be able to explore their creative side, their artistic side, and really gain the confidence that maybe they've lost along the way," added Alexa Priddy, Director of Community Engagement at St. John the Evangelist Homeless Shelter.
"That support. People feel they don't have support, and when you sit in that circle drawing, reading a book or some type of game, they don't know that's support right there," said workshop participant Dawon Jones.
Jensen is working to bring the programming to prisons, aging and disability resource centers and schools.
"Research shows that students who do participate in arts education build that self confidence, but they're also more likely to remain in school and stay out of trouble, graduate from high school and go on and lead a productive life," Jensen explained.
Expanding services, though, takes money. Now, Mosaic Arts, Inc. will get a boost through Give BIG Green Bay. The Greater Green Bay Community Foundation and the Green Bay Packers Foundation chose the nonprofit to receive funds from their 24 hour crowdfunding event.
"Flattered. Grateful. Overwhelmed," were the words Jensen used to describe her emotions.
The nonprofit's goal is to create art boxes with supplies, books and lesson plans that people can check out, but Give Big Green Bay also helps raise awareness of Mosaic Arts, Inc.'s mission.
"It's a great feeling that we can spread the word of what we do," said Molly Carey, Marketing and Event Coordinator for Mosaic Arts, Inc.
Jones hopes that come noon on February 18th to noon on February 19th, the community will donate generously, so more people can feel the healing effects of the arts.
"It's a blessing, and people need to just continue to give with a cheerful heart," said Jones.
St. John the Evangelist Homeless Shelter, which runs the Micah Center, is also one of the 40 nonprofits you can choose to donate to during Give BIG Green Bay.
The majority of the organizations will be holding special events during Give BIG Green Bay. For example, Mosaic Arts, Inc. and Eye Heart World, which is a nonprofit organization that works with victims of sex trafficking, will host an event from 2:30pm to 7:00pm at the Neville Public Museum in downtown Green Bay. Their community event will include free painting of an inspiring message on a rock that can be shared with residents at the Eye Heart World home, writing encouraging words on fabric that will be hung on their metal heart frame that will travel to area organizations and businesses and adding a note to their encouragement box that they can share with the Eye Heart World guests. They will also have a worry box where you can write down what’s bothering you. Then, they'll burn the box at the end of the evening.
Last year, Give BIG Green Bay raised nearly $1.4 million. Leaders hope to surpass that this year.
