Daring to Dream Big design studio!

"What is this good for!?" As a teacher, I have come across this question time and time again, as students struggle to relate to why we "Do" art, and how it applies to them. This campaign not only intends to bridge the gap between the concept and the product to my students, but to also express how much they can impact the visual, mental, and emotional landscape around them.

To do this, my students need a screen printing machine, heat press, vinyl cutter, computers, printer, and other supplies, in order to design and create thought provoking images/messages to put on t-shirts, mugs, apparel, etc., for their school and surrounding community. These things, as well as plexiglass for dynamic art, media, and design rich tables to create their work on, will to take their designs beyond imagination to a final physical product!

-Photo shows an example of Plexiglass table tops with underlaying designs-

Hello, my name is Seth Ahiekpor, or Mr. A as the students call me, and I work as a Graphic Arts/Art I teacher at Woodrow Wilson High School in Camden NJ. I am reaching out to you to ask if you could help me in bringing the design world closer to my students. I do not want to just tell them about the world of design or have them just create Art for Arts sake, but I want them to see beyond the classroom into what's relevant to them.  Being able touch, see, and interact with the concepts they are being taught, helps bridge the gap between classroom knowledge and real world application. This Campaign will not only impact all of the students involved, but will also benefit the entire student body, staff, as well as the local community.

My students deserve to be engulfed in a learning environment that embraces the wonder that they possess inside, taps into it, and allows it to flow freely for all to see its magnificence. By donating to this campaign, you are taking part in laying down the yellow brick road to a land of "Yes I Can"! With these machines and supplies, they will not only have a work environment and the tools necessary to create projects that will bring their imaginings to reality, but will also further allow them to acknowledge the very real idea that they have the ability to actively and positively impact their social environment through art. Knowing that they can come up with an idea for a holiday, school event, special occasion, etc., and go directly to creating a T-shirt, Mug, Car decal, etc., is a freeing experience that I want to offer my students, so that they know their ideas have weight.

-Photo shows an example of students creating work using similar design equipment-

While I strive to offer my students the best education possible, I need the resources and supplies to keep them engaged, while making the subject matter practical and applicable in real time. Due to our school’s financial budget, many of our teachers have to reach out for donations through crowd funding platforms such as this to obtain classroom supplies. So, I would like to ask that you help me continue to grow the Graphic Arts/Art program for my students. If you choose to contribute to this campaign, you will be giving more than just machines and supplies, you will be a hero to many inner city students. You will show them that despite coming from a district with limited resources, they can still realize that the American dream can be a reality by making a living through the work of their hands and some creative ideas. Not everyone's passion or calling is to be a doctor or a dentist, so I would like to show my students a road less emphasized... a path just as rewarding if they are given the opportunity to seize it. Thank you!