Over the last few years, Artcult International has been on hiatus due to studio relocations, donor renegotiations, and, most beautifully, families expanding, yet 2017 aims to be our most expansive and progressive in multiple Northeast markets with the assistance of our newest Central NY donor, Sleepmaster Mattress.
When my fiancé and myself, relocated to Florida in 2011, we regretfully could no longer sustain a relationship with Artcult's original and primary sponsor, Lowe's Hardware Inc., which was based in Concord, NC, neighboring Charlotte, where Artcult facilitated and taught Art as Therapy, and creative confidence-building classes for seniors, youngsters, and many underprivileged, unfamiliar budding artists. I personally could not sustain our demand for classes and equipment, with the birth of our daughters in subsequent years, and thus, since I have anchored all elements of Artcult since I conceived and created it in 2008, the blog and various functions of our services have not been consistently updated or rendered.
During that time we have maintained relationships with our previous recipients, and have cultivated associations with new organizations who can benefit from, and are anticipating, from myself, our art educators, and our affiliates, the high-quality art materials, education, entertainment and therapeutic benefits that Artcult has provided in the past. I have personally, over the last couple of months, taken myself out of the demanding insurance sales career that has sustained our family, to be a work-from-home, artist-father and art educator. This change has empowered me the freedom to enjoy their youth, as well as allow myself time to teach, as I previously did in Charlotte and Florida.
The passing of my mother in March reminded me how sharing ideas in good company have been the happiest moments of my life, and my soul beckons me to devote more time to enlightening the lives of others through symbiotic creative channels, as she showed me. My mother nurtured and encouraged me to expand my artistic horizons, a university education expanded my educational tool belt, and now I am ready to renew my commitment to serve my communities, educate and learn along with my friends, and art associates. I could not be more excited to get more wind under the sails of the Artcult venture, and I wouldn't trade the time I've recently spent rediscovering the creative process with my daughters for all the riches in Babylon. The stretched canvasses, wood panels, paints, brushes, etc., we donate have never been made of better materials, due to our current sponsors, and we expect a busy year.
For more information on ways we can be of service in your communities, contact us and we will respond with a phone call, and email promotional packet, as soon as I find where my girls hid my laptop. Cheers, and thank you for your interest. I would also like to extend an appreciative mention to those who have aided this venture: Carolina International Schools in Concord, NC; Holiday Senior Communities nationwide; The Corkscrew of Birkdale Village in Huntersville, NC; Onondaga County Public Libraries, Cork & Olive in Lake Mary, Florida; Restaurant X in Davidson, NC; our highly supportive family and friends around the globe. I sincerely hope we can promote better living through creative expression in your community soon, and stay tuned for updates on all things enriching and beautiful in art education, art therapy, and a soon a Video Blog of the art adventures of my 2 and 5 year old daughters, and also our recipients. - Ian Reid
