The Open Easel Project's Mission
Accessible Art for All Hearts.
The Open Easel Project is a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to making art more accessible for people all around the globe, breaking the stereotype that art is only for the rich.
Meet The Team
The heart of The Open Easel Project—our team! We're a passionate group of teenagers dedicated to using creativity as a force of connection and change. Each person on our team brings their own unique talents, perspective, story, skills, and spirit to the table, helping shape every workshop, mural, and moment we share with the communities we serve.Whether we're painting side-by-side with children, collaborating with local artists, or encouraging someone to pick up a pencil, our mission is rooted in love.Get to know the faces behind our mission. The ones making our vision possible one project at a time. We're so excited to share a little more about who we are and why this mission means so much to us as we continue growing, creating, and dreaming big.
Help Our Cause: Volunteer With Us
Want to make a difference through art? Join The Open Easel Project in helping bring color, creativity, and hope to the community! Whether you paint, organize, or love working with people—we'd love you to help!
“Art is the most intense mode of individualism that the world has known.”
― Oscar Wilde, The Soul of Man Under Socialism
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About Us
How We Started
The Open Easel Project was founded in 2025 by Olivia Kim with a simple, yet profound realization: Art isn't a luxury; it's a fundamental human need. For centuries, art has been largely inaccessible, perceived as an indulgence reserved for the wealthy and powerful. From kings commissioning grand pieces to modern galleries operating in an elite market, art has been gatekept, turning a beautiful form of self-expression into a symbol of status and a financial asset. Even today, governments and schools often undervalue arts education, seeing it as non-essential. Olivia started The Open Easel Project to dismantle these barriers and reclaim art for everyone, recognizing that denying access to art reinforces cycles of disempowerment and silences vital voices.
Our Mission
Our main goal at The Open Easel Project is to break down the barriers that restrict art to "those who can afford it." We are driven by the conviction that art is an essential form of expression, communication, and healing, particularly for marginalized communities whose voices are often silenced. We aim to restore art to its rightful place as a universal human instinct – a means to tell stories, connect, and make sense of the world, just as early humans did before economies and class systems existed. We believe that by making art accessible, we are not just providing a service; we are returning a fundamental human right.
Our Values
At The Open Easel Project, our core values center on the belief that art is for everyone, regardless of their economic status or background, serving as a powerful tool for self-expression, communication, and healing, particularly for those whose stories often go unheard. We are committed to empowering individuals through expression and actively strive to decolonize creativity, acknowledging that true art often originates from communities, struggles, and hope, rather than elite institutions. For us, making art accessible isn't charity; it's about equity, not pity, as we work to dismantle the systemic barriers of wealth, colonialism, racism, and capitalism that have privatized something inherently universal, thereby restoring what was always meant to belong to all: the right to tell your own story, to shape your culture, to dream, to resist, to heal, and to belong.
Our Team
2025
Olivia Kim
President, Founder
Hi everyone! I’m Olivia, the Founder and President of the Open Easel Project. As someone that is very passionate about art and its deep history with humanity, I believe that art is not a luxury. It is a human need, and it always has been. Thanks to the support of so many people, I was able to create this organization that stands for everything I stand for, accessible art for all hearts. My expertise lies more in traditional art, with paint and brushes, but through this, I have learned valuable skills and lessons I hope to never forget. I hope you stick around to see us grow into something that can truly bring change to this world.
Gabrielle Bernadine
Vice President, Public Relations
Hi, I'm Gabbie, the Vice President and Public Relations Manager of The Open Easel Project. I'm here because I'm an artist, and like what this organization stands for, I believe that art should be accessible to all, for art is such a powerful tool. I love graphic design, photography, film, writing, and digital and traditional art. Also, I also really love music and fashion! As an advocate for change, it's such an honor being part of The Open Easel Project. I aspire to do my part in bringing accessible art to all hearts.
Richard "Richy" Salinas
Executive Assistant
Hey all, I'm Richard, but you can call me Richy, and I'm an inspiring leader for change! I joined Open Easel was because of its message of breaking barriers that exist in society, and I wanted to help the group with planning and development. My favorite type of art is music, and I believe it connects everyone in a way no other thing can. I'm excited to meet new people who are just as passionate about change as I am. I can't wait to see what the rest of Open Easel and I can build together, and how we'll grow as a team!
Projects
2025
Jutiapa, Guatemala Workshops
June 2025
Our very first project was an incredibly moving experience, with our President and Founder, Olivia Kim, leading workshops in Jutiapa. We had the joy of teaching children how to create vibrant drawings using oil pastels and how to add playful touches with pom-poms. The children even had fun drawing temporary tattoos on our volunteers! Each piece of art they created was wonderfully unique and expressive, truly capturing their individual spirit. Witnessing their joy, burgeoning confidence, and boundless creativity as they immersed themselves in art was a powerful reminder of our mission. These workshops perfectly embodied the spirit of freedom, joy, and pure imagination, underscoring the profound power of art in building confidence, sparking happiness, and helping young people explore their self-expression.
Mural Collaboration with Carlos Hernández
June 2025
The Open Easel Project had the incredible opportunity to collaborate with 24-year-old visual artist, Carlos Hernández. On the walls of Iglesia Amor de Jesucristo, a beloved local church, we collectively painted a vibrant mural depicting the story of Noah and the Ark. This powerful and timeless tale of faith, perseverance, and renewal was brought to life through hard work, teamwork, and a shared creative vision. Working alongside Carlos was truly inspiring; his passion and artistic talent elevated our efforts and pushed us to new heights. Together, we created something truly special and lasting for the community, a contribution we are immensely proud of.
Get Involved
Interested in being a part of The Open Easel Project's mission? Here are some ways you can help!
Donate via Venmo!
Volunteer with The Open Easel Project!
Get email notifications for The Open Easel Project events!
Join The Open Easel Project staff!
FAQ
What will you do with the money from donations?
Your generous donations directly fuel our mission to make art more accessible for younger generations. We'll use the funds to host engaging art workshops, providing hands-on creative experiences for young people. We'll also support art classes in schools that lack proper funding, ensuring all students have the opportunity to explore their artistic talents. Additionally, a portion of your contributions will go towards scholarships for young, aspiring artists, helping them pursue their passions and develop their skills.We are committed to full transparency and responsible stewardship of your contributions. Every dollar donated will be used exclusively to further our programs and initiatives, directly benefiting the communities and young artists we serve. You can rest assured that your money will never be used for personal financial gain or selfish reasons within our organization. We are dedicated to maximizing the impact of your generosity and fostering a vibrant future for art.
How do these workshops work?
Our workshops are designed to be engaging and easily accessible for young aspiring artists. We begin by reaching out to local churches and schools, establishing collaborations that provide safe and welcoming spaces for students to learn and experience art. Once a venue is secured, we then send some of our dedicated members to lead the sessions. These passionate individuals are not just instructors; they are mentors who teach, connect with, and inspire the young students, sharing whichever artistic technique is in the spotlight that week. It's a hands-on approach designed to foster creativity and a love for art in a supportive community setting.
What are the benefits of art based workshops?
Our art workshops offer a unique opportunity for students to explore artistic techniques not typically covered in school, expanding their scope and experience. Beyond that, these workshops boost creativity, enhance fine motor skills, build confidence, and promote emotional well-being. They also improve focus and patience, foster cultural awareness, develop critical thinking, and encourage social interaction. Ultimately, these workshops cultivate essential life skills that contribute to a child's holistic development.
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