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Returning grantee The Family One used their $5,000 grant to expand TFO Creative Art Futures, a year-round art immersion program for youth ages 7–16. Students explored watercolor, acrylic painting, finger painting, mixed media, inventive sculpture, and digital and graphic art while developing creativity, design thinking, and problem-solving skills. The program also introduced practical skills through a framing workshop, where students learned basic carpentry, craftsmanship, and how to professionally present their original artwork. By the end of the program, participants had created portfolios of original work and built greater confidence in expressing their ideas through art.
“Since 2022 when we set out to launch and develop a youth arts program, The Virts Miller Foundation’s generosity has allowed The Family One to do some of our most impactful work to date. What we quickly found out and understood throughout the years was that holding a space for artistic expression for the youth always led them to their voice. We had the honor of witnessing the selection of tone, texture, temperature in real time as the youth illustrated their willingness to share, ability to self correct, storytelling style, sense of pride and excitement to inspire others in the most vivid fashion. The oil paintings, water colors, charcoal sketches and clay sculptures are all brought to life by the camaraderie, support and positive environment we have been able to foster with the support of Virts Miller.”
– Benjamin Blakley, Co-Founder
“Art does this amazing thing where it blurs the lines between teacher and student, expert and novice. The most unexpected beauty comes to life on its own terms with no regard to the creator. This program allows me to see this happen over and over.” -Tracy Estelle, Instructor
The Virts Miller Foundation awarded The Family One a grant in the 2022 grant cycle that was used to run their 9-week summer arts program in 2023. At The Family One camps, children were able to express and hone-in on their artistic talents in a safe, nurturing environment.
“We want to thank the Virts Miller Foundation for their substantial support of our Arts program, which has significantly enhanced the creative opportunities for children in our community. With their funding, we provided a diverse array of art supplies and secured a venue at the Douglass Community Center, hosting a nine-week program that concluded with a successful Artist Exhibit at the Dulles Town Center Mall. This support not only facilitated essential staff assistance but also fostered an environment that nurtured the artistic talents of our young participants. Thanks to this partnership, we are excited to launch a new program that will further extend our reach and deepen our impact on the youth of Loudoun County, continuing to cultivate their artistic skills and enrich our community’s cultural landscape.”
Benjamin Blakely
