In reflecting on our own artistic sensibilities, both of us realized how much we owe to our mothers’ creative spirits.
Vivek’s mom was always trying to find ways to be creative—maybe to enliven the bleakness of immigrant life in Canada. She religiously enrolled in cake decorating, copper tooling, ceramics, and flower arranging classes. Growing up surrounded by her mom’s beautiful creations in their home, perhaps it’s not a surprise Vivek became an artist.
Shemeena’s mom never took any formal classes, but she found ways to use her creative energy and generosity of spirit to make the everyday artful. She used her attention to detail and beauty in service of her family and community, from making or sourcing the best Halloween costumes, to growing the Navoroz roji for all the khanes. Shemeena wishes she had encouraged her mom to take art classes or suggested that they take a class together.
Inspired by our mothers, we are offering a $500 grant to 10 women/femmes of color (BIPOC) in Canada who are 35 years or older, to pay for any art course of their choosing.
To nominate someone (including yourself) for a grant, please email the following to vsarts@vivekshraya.com by April 15, 2022:
- A letter (one page max) telling us a little bit about the woman/femme of colour you would like us to support; the art course they would like to take; and why.
- Please include the course name, a description of the course, and the name of the school/organization offering the course.
Applicants will be notified at the end of April 2022.
— Vivek & Shemeena