Did you know that April is National Volunteer Month? We just couldn’t wait, so we celebrated early at our Mentor Paint & Sip in March. Free Arts Volunteer Mentors and their guests joined us at our offices at Parsons Place for a night of Bob Ross, colorful mocktails, charcuterie, and fun!
Everyone had the optional prompt of using an affirmation card as their inspiration for their art piece, or they could try to follow along with the Bob Ross tutorial playing on our projectors in the gallery. Everyone’s pieces were so expressive and unique to them. At the end, volunteers were invited to do a gallery walk to celebrate everyone’s work. It was so lovely to share with each other and learn a little more about the incredible people who bring so much life and joy to our programming.
This was a unique event, as it brought volunteers from all our different programs together. Some of our mentors provide trauma-informed art programming directly in group homes and shelters, while others provide support at our Free Arts Days at museums and cultural partners like the Musical Instrument Museum, Desert Botanical Garden, Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, and more. Some volunteers provide important help out with programming at our offices or assist us by preparing materials or restocking our art room.
With over 150 volunteers working across the Valley (and beyond!), we don’t always get a chance to come together to say thank you!
It was the perfect night of creativity and connection. Whether our volunteers have been around for a couple decades or are fresh out of training, we are lucky to have such a kind, caring, and dedicated volunteer base. Our volunteers are an essential part of our Art + Mentors = Resilience equation. We truly couldn’t do it without them! We are so thankful for everything our mentors do to build resilience using the arts!
