Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: WAHI Studio, Inc.
Legal Name (if Different):
Also Known As:
Mailing Address: 240 Michigan Street
City: Lockport
State: New York
Postal Code: 14094
Main Phone: (716) 504-7539
Main Fax: N/A
Organization Website: https://www.wahistudio.org
Employer ID Number: 85-2853560
Organization Tax Status: 501(c)(3)

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: March 30, 2023
Requested Amount: 10000

Project Title: Spring 2024 After School Art Clubs
Project Description:

WAHI Studio, Inc., (WAHI) is an inclusive, grassroots, trauma informed, community art studio dedicated to the proliferation of arts education, arts experiences, wellness, and community engagement. Our approach to creating art is therapeutic. Artist-teachers focus on self-expression, mental health, building community, and progress.
Despite decades of research indicating arts participation, education, and experiences promote community engagement, improve mental health, and improve academic performance and social behaviors, a longstanding trend of reducing or eliminating arts from public education begun in the 1970’s continues unabated. (Wali et al. 2002; Catterall et. al 2012). WAHI Studio After School Art Clubs program (ASAC) is the only program of its kind in Niagara County. The program includes 14 Weeks of art instruction per semester. ASAC currently partners with the Newfane, Barker, Lockport, Wilson, and Royalton-Hartland Central school districts. Thanks to our recent move to a new, larger facility, the program will expand to include additional Niagara County Schools, as well as expanding our reach beyond Niagara County to include schools from northern Erie County. In the fall of 2023/spring 2024 we will add Starpoint, Lewiston-Porter, Niagara Wheatfield, and North Tonawanda Central schools. Homeschooling students and students from private schools within these districts such as DeSales Catholic School in Lockport will also participate.
Students learn about and imitate specific art movements/artists such as Fauvism/Matisse. They experiment with a variety of methods of painting including methods that are both creative and stress releasing, such as drip and throw painting, and learn the properties and use of acrylics. Students experiment with ink types and applications, sculpting with sculpture-wire and plaster, and chalking including the grisaille method of painting commonly used at festivals. The program focus is always on self-expression, progress, and emotional health.
Classes accommodate 24 students per session with 3 sessions per week.

Total Project Budget: $39,160

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): Grigg Lewis Foundation – $ 4,000, request pending; Garman Family Foundation – $25,000, request pending. Grigg Lewis Foundation and Garman Family Foundation are loyal supporters of WAHI Studio, Inc. After School Art Clubs. Our total request to the Grigg Lewis Foundation is $30,000, $26,000 of which will be used to support the Fall 2023 ASAC. The remaining $4,000 will help support the Spring 2024 ASAC. Funds from the Garman Family Foundation will also support the Spring 2024 ASAC.

Project Duration: January 2024 thru June 2024
Geographical Area Served: Western New York, including Niagara County and parts of northern Erie County
Age Group To Be Served: Middle School/High School Students

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Ms.
Contact First Name: Jessica
Contact Last Name: Tomaino
Contact Title: Executive Director
Contact Phone: (716) 504-7539
Contact Email: WAHIstudioart@gmail.com