CMFK hosts art show
Art created by participants involved in College Mentors for Kids was displayed in the Wheeler Arts Center on Dec. 2 to raise money for the organization. Photo by Abby Gross
The University of Indianapolis chapter of College Mentors for Kids held an art show on Dec. 2 during the Wheeler Arts Community’s “First Friday” event.
The art show was a fundraising venture that featured various paintings created by students from Indianapolis Public Schools 65 and 114 who participate in College Mentors for Kids. Visitors could bid on each painting, which was then sold to the highest bidder at the end of the night.
College Mentors for Kids is an organization that pairs college students with at-risk youth to motivate these younger students to excel in school and see the importance of college in their future. According to Lynsey Johnson, president of the UIndy chapter of College Mentors for Kids, the UIndy chapter serves 80 students who are all defined as “at-risk,” even though they are often honors students.
“One hundred percent [of the students] live under the poverty level, and most have had parents incarcerated,” Johnson said.
College Mentors for Kids reaches out to these students to provide a positive influence in their lives.
“All these kids talk about is their mentor,” Johnson said.
Johnson said that the students not only love their college mentors, but also learn to love school more, which improves their academic achievement.
Whitney Ronk, general manager of the UIndy chapter of College Mentors for Kids, said the organization benefits the UIndy mentors as well.
“[College Mentors for Kids] is great for the community, the IPS kids and the college kids,” Ronk said.
Johnson said creating the paintings for the art show gave the IPS students, or the “Little Buddies” as the organization calls them, a chance to be proud of something.
“Allowing them to do something that they know will be displayed in the community gives them a sense of accomplishment and confidence,” Johnson said.
Bryttenny Gaines, vice president of UIndy’s College Mentors for Kids, said the students were happy to help out the organization by raising money with their artwork.
“They felt important, that they’re not just there to participate, but that they are there helping us,” Gaines said.
According to Johnson, the money raised will go toward activities, supplies, snacks and transportation for the two days of mentoring that College Mentors for Kids organizes each week.
Ronk said having the art show during the “First Friday” event was a good way to promote College Mentors for Kids. “First Friday,” which occurs on the first Friday of each month, opens up the Wheeler Arts Community to the public to showcase the artwork of resident and local artists. Live music and refreshments also are provided.
“Being able to piggyback off of “First Friday” helps us reach a different audience than if it were just us,” Ronk said.
Given the success of this year’s art show, Johnson said she hopes to continue the fundraiser in future years making it an annual event. UIndy students interested in joining College Mentors for Kids can email Johnson at johnsonl@uindy.edu.
