Pablo Picasso once said, “art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.” Spring Start with Art is a unique event that uses art to encourage and inspire women and children in crisis. It was begun several years ago by Junior League’s A Nearly New You committee members as a way to help the women of Miracle Hill’s Shepherd’s Gate celebrate the new season with art.
A Nearly New You is a small committee of Junior League of Greenville volunteers desiring to make a visible, concrete impact on our community. Our projects and outreaches enable the Junior League of Greenville to touch the lives of women and children in need. We partner with various non-profit agencies to provide the greatest impact at a personal level. Our mission is three-fold: equipping, educating, and empowering the women and children of our community. Spring Start with Art is a fun-filled morning dedicated to empowering the homeless women and children living at Shepherd’s Gate, some of who are overcoming addiction, and equipping them for an exciting future.
This Saturday morning event was filled with fun, food, painting, and shopping. The women were first provided with a delicious breakfast of Krispy Kreme doughnuts, fruit, coffee cake, and water. Leah Couch, owner of Wine & Design, was brought in to instruct the women and children on how to create a beautiful floral painting- something to call their own and to be used in their new home. The women were given a goodie bag and jewelry, and the children were given toys to play with.
A Peaceful Place to Paint
While many of the women are overcoming obstacles, this morning was a peaceful time where they could forget their troubles and focus on creating a masterpiece on their new, white canvas. The new piece of artwork is symbolic of a chance at a new start for these women. They were eager to begin painting, many arriving in the dining room early. What was originally going to be a small group turned into a full room as many of the women at Shepherd’s Gate decided to attend — eighteen women and two children. Many of the women came in quiet and tired for this early morning activity but left with a smile on their faces and a new, peaceful activity they could do on their own.
This was my second year being at this fun event. Spring Start with Art has always been one of my most favorite activities we do as A Nearly New You committee. It is always an exciting morning interacting with the women and watching them turn their white, blank canvases into beautiful pieces of artwork. It’s always a wonderful reminder that art is an avenue in which, for many, we can forget our troubles and look to a brighter future.
Post submitted by Patricia Enfinger, Chair of A Nearly New You. Patricia can be reached at patriciaannegraham@gmail.com
