The ArtReach is our annual arts-integrated service-learning project in TMS Community Art classes. Students in Community Art begin the year by working to democratically decide on a focus for how to help the community with their artwork. Our decision making process involves brainstorming, then discussion, and finally voting to determine the focus. This focus could be a problem that we want to raise awareness about and help solve, or a positive initiative happening that we want to support. After deciding on the focus for the year and getting administrative approval, students conduct research about their focus, and create artworks to inspire the community to help and raise money for related nonprofit organizations.
In Trimester 1, TMS Community Art students decided to use their artwork to support Responsible Pet Care - a no-kill, nonprofit animal shelter located in Norway, Maine. All funds raised on the TMS Artsonia website through the end of the 2021 school year will be donated to RPC. Artsonia is an online art gallery that doubles as a fundraising website. On this site, you can view and purchase prints of student artwork on a variety of products - such as wall hangings, mugs, t-shirts, notebooks, etc - and our school earns 20% of the cost of purchases made on this site.
In Trimester 2, students had the opportunity to meet and interview the RPC staff via Zoom to learn more about what they do and how we can help them. Students met and learned about the stories of some cats and dogs at the shelter, and they learned that many more people are adopting animals this year compared to past years. RPC said that they don't judge anyone who needs to surrender an animal. They understand that people need to bring animals to the shelter for a variety of reasons, and that is why they exist - to help the animals and the humans who care for them. RPC wants everyone to know that they care deeply for the animals as if they were family, and they are passionate about providing the animals great love and care while they await their forever homes.
Throughout this school year, TMS Visual Art students created a variety of artworks to sell on Artsonia to raise money for RPC, and in Trimester 3, we launched our Artsonia fundraising gallery. Also in the spring, an 8th grade Community Art student, Alice F., organized a supply donation drive for RPC. She collected pet supply donations from each homeroom at TMS, which will soon be delivered to the shelter. TMS will be sending RPC a check with our Artsonia earnings at the end of this school year.
To learn more about RPC, please visit their website: https://responsiblepetcare.org/
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In addition to this great cause, we also encourage you to consider making a donation to support MSAD#44 area families with funding to help with the purchase of basic essentials such as baby formula and diapers. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many of our families have had disruptions in their jobs, their paychecks, and their benefits. The SAD 44 Community Assistance Fund provides this type of support and assistance for families during these challenging times. Any size donation is appreciated.
If you are interested in contributing to this fund, please send your donations to:
MSAD 44 Community Assistance Fund
C/o Deb Martin, Business Manager
1 Parkway, Suite 204
Bethel, ME 04217