The Skillman Foundation's 60 Examples of Detroit Genius
Living Arts is thrilled to announce that two of our students, Avril and Elise, have been named in the Skillman Foundation’s 60 Examples of Detroit Genius. Both students have been involved with our after-school classes at the Ford Resource and Engagement Center for over eight years and have showcased their work around the city as celebrated artists!
From 2008 to 2017, both Avril and Elise attended the Detroit Waldorf school. Although these twins have a lot in common, they explored different mediums through the arts-based curriculum while focusing on different topics. Each has a different way of communicating through their art.
——————————
Elise is an illustrator, digital artist, and has loved animals her whole life. She began creating anthropomorphic animal characters when she was just five years old! Her love for creating animal-centered art grew and in 2016 when she decided to turn it into more than “a silly hobby” (her words, not ours).
Her work centers around sci-fi and fantasy, however, she still makes room for the more realistic and natural animals that she creates in her work. Elise focuses her visual art in digital painting, animation, oil painting, medieval-style manuscripts (with its elaborate calligraphy), and marker cartoon drawings.
In 2019, Elise was awarded The Grand Prize at the Detroit Can Film Festival for her animation, MacArthur, for which she received a full scholarship to Interlochen Center for the Arts’ summer media arts program and a $500 cash prize. It is a deeply personal animation about learning to live with your reality, emotions, and struggles.
Elise also pours her creativity into many musical instruments such as the violin, cello, lyre, soprano recorder, piano, and guitar. She explains, “Living Arts has impacted me in so many ways. Not only did I learn tons about art -- I got so much support from the instructors, and made many social connections with other students.”
Avril was introduced to digital art at a pretty young age. Their family had a Windows 98 computer and had an old version of Microsoft Paint, which both Avril & Elise, would use the mouse to draw on the computer. Avril mentioned that “even though it was hard to draw with a mouse, it was pretty fun!” Since then, access to digital painting programs has allowed them to dive in headfirst and soak up anything and everything they can to help both become better artists.
Avril has excelled in many mediums beyond digital illustration, which is their main jam. Avril let us know that they don’t really finish anything traditionally anymore, however, they’ll still work in pencils, fine liners (specialty thin-tipped pens), coptic markers, watercolors, and washi tape.
Even more exciting is that they also play multiple instruments including, violin, cello, piano, guitar, lyre, recorder, alto recorder (which is very different from a recorder), drums, and voice. (Avril claims that last one is only for fun.)
Art is a healing medium. We bear witness to that in their response to our question of “Why do you love the arts?”, Avril opened up and explained,
“Due to my autism, I have a lot of trouble explaining things to someone's face. With art, I can show my feelings and tell stories without the anxiety I face actually talking to someone. Art is also the main source of my happiness. Creating new worlds and characters is so much fun!”
Avril went on to talk about what they’ve enjoyed most about Living Arts,
“I enjoy the community! I'm not the best at making friends (or talking, or..anything social), but everyone there is so easy to talk to since we have similar interests. I've made many friends through Living Arts, and will always be thankful for them. Living Arts has given me the space to create, learn, and experience new things. I would definitely not be where I am if it weren't for Living Arts.”
In 2017, Avril was given the distinct pleasure of designing the Michigan’s Children Hero Night Award and was able to be there as the award was presented. Pictured below with Avril, are Sharon Peters and Cynthia Wilbanks. The Hero Night Award honors “individuals whose work or organizational efforts positively impact the lives and life-outcomes for our state’s children and families.” The award that year went to Tonya Allen, of the Skillman Foundation.
Avril and Elise have also been involved with many wonderful organizations like Detroit Waldorf School, The Detroit Symphony Orchestra Civic Youth Ensemble, Michigan Great Lakes Virtual Academy, Lyre Association of North America, Urban Stringz, and Motown EDU.
Avril and Elise, thank you so much for setting an incredible example of what a Detroit Genius looks like. We’re so grateful that we have been able to be a part of your artistic journeys!
“The Skillman Foundation: A voice for children since 1960, The Skillman Foundation is a private philanthropy that serves as a fierce champion of Detroit children. The Foundation works to ensure Detroit youth achieve their highest aspirations by strengthening K-12 public education, afterschool learning opportunities, and college and career pathways.” https://www.skillman.org/
