Most 10-year-olds, and even some grown adults, don’t know what they want to be when they grow up.
However, Carmel resident Ariana Silver, aka “Artzy Ari” isn’t your average 10-year-old. When Silver was just 8-years-old, she started her very own business, Artzy Girlz, Inc.
It all started when Silver moved to Arizona and learned that she would only be taking art classes for half a year, once a week. Upset by this, Ariana’s mother, Jen, decided to go out and buy her daughter her very own art supplies and art kits. Ariana would make her mother jewelry and in return her mother would give her an allowance.
When Silver started wearing her own creations to school, children were shocked to find out that she had hand-made them herself.
“They were freaking out and asking me where they could get them,” Silver said.
Ariana decided to throw an “artzy girlz” themed birthday party where she showed her friends how they also could make their own creations, and a career was born.
Artzy Girlz is now a nationwide business that helps schools and other nonprofit organizations raise money for the arts and other creative programs in their communities. Schools sign up at zero cost and with no obligations. Once a school signs up, Artzy Girlz donates up to 40 percent of every purchase to the customer’s specified school.
“Artzy Girlz was created to not only raise awareness of current school budget cuts in art education, but it was also created for girls to share their passions and be creative,” Silver’s mother said.
Schools can use the funds raised through Artzy Girls for art, music drama and dance classes. Or, schools could take students on a field trip to the symphony, bring in an artist-in-residence, offer after-school specials, renovate the auditorium, or even buy technology that allows teachers to infuse multi-media creativity into every subject, according to the Artzy Girlz’ website, www.artzygirlzinc.com.
Artzy Girz sells a wide range of products also, including jewelry, fashion accessories, craft kits, cosmetics and art supplies. And now, books. One Artzy Girlz book already has been published, and there is another on the way. The Artzy Girlz are a group of fictional friends named after real people who go on “artzy” adventures together. The “artzy girlz” include: Ariana, the designer, Megan, the painter, Ella, the musician, Darlington, the diva and Katrina, the dancer. Silver revealed that in the next book, a new Artzy Girl will be introduced who is a writer.
Silver and her mother also make it their mission to honor those who are striving to keep art in the forefront and to highlight its importance. On June 5, Silver and her mother met with Mayor Jim Brainard to bestow upon him an Artzy Award to thank him for all his support and dedication in developing the Carmel Arts & Design District.
Artzy Girlz wants to honor those teachers, politicians, activists, students and performers who have taken action to advance art or who have provided creative opportunities for kids in the areas of art, dance, music, drama, writing or any other art or creative technology.
If you know someone who deserves to be recognized, nominate them by sending an e-mail to [email protected]. Provide your name and contact info, the name of the person you want to nominate, and a brief description of why they are deserving of this honor.
