Today we’d like to introduce you to Edie Young.
Hi Edie, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’m an artist myself; ever since I was little, I would do visual art and drama. and I always loved art and helping the community.
My love for art started in Ms. Maria’s drama class because she made art fun and helped us create amazing things. So I started We Are Artistic in 2019 as a small Facebook group because I wanted to make a place to support artists, artistic people, and people who appreciate art. Support for artists can go a long way, but it’s often costly!
Then, I started an Instagram for the organization and I realized we could start offering volunteer opportunities! So we did, and people all over the world started finding out about us, and we started getting members in India and Sri Lanka!
Then, I came across Cards For Hospitalized Kids well looking for community service opportunities and started hosting card-making events, which allowed my organization to open more volunteer opportunities and use our art to support hospitalized kids because I learned art can uplift and making cards can have a big impact
So now, we have people helping with a lot of amazing stuff like managing our TikTok. We have amazing partners and have had amazing opportunities. I also have tons of friends now involved and I’m very thankful for their support and how they are also willing to support my organization.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I would say we have struggled to get volunteers because people think it’s hard or don’t realize everyone can volunteer in our organization. So we have been unstaffed and have had to have our volunteers do extra tasks!
I would also say another struggle is getting people to work at card-making events. All of us in-person volunteers can’t drive, and oftentimes the places that want us to do card-making events are 40 minutes away, which is a drive, and people don’t like dealing with rude guests at card-making events. We get a lot of rude guests.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
What I do is do digital art, write articles, and do a lot of activism! I love to spend my time helping the community. I also volunteer with Queer Youth Assemble where I lead the free affirming birthday card project and help plan dc events.
I specialize in digital art, event planning, and bringing people together and activism. What I’m known for is my group, We Are Artistic, and making Cards For Hospitalized Kids. I’m also known for being an activist. I’m also known for originating two amazing Initiatives at my school, which are The Disability Justice Fair and The Queer Visibility Fair. I wanted to educate people in a fun and interesting way.
I’m most proud of the fact that I’m only 16 but have already done a lot, I co-hosted a local protest called Let Trans Athletes Play and I hosted a ton of other inspiring and impactful events. I have volunteered with many non-profits!
I founded a club for disabled students and their allies called the Disability Student Alliance which allows the disabled students in my school to have a safe space to talk, hang out without hiding their disabilities, etc.. I have disabilities so I know that it can be hard to find a safe space in school. A school is often a place where disabled students get bullied.
What sets me apart from others is that I was able to inspire others to do good, like when my friends now want to also make cards for hospitalized kids, something they didn’t know about before! I have done a lot for the community, like advocating for Disabled people, the queer community, and gun violence issues.
I always find new ways to help others and bring the community together. Many people don’t realize that all change is impactful no matter how big or small the change is. Anybody can make a change.
What would you say has been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
What I have learned is that not all events or initiatives will go well, and that’s ok because what matters is that you tried and put effort into your event.
I have also learned that when doing art, it takes time and practice, and it’s ok if every art piece doesn’t turn out to be good.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.weareartistic.net/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/artistic.edie?igshid=MTIzZWMxMTBkOA==
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/groups/weareartistic/?ref=share&mibextid=DcJ9fc
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/we-are-artistic/
- Other: https://instagram.com/weareartisticgroup?igshid=MTIzZWMxMTBkOA==
