The VGA Art Kit Program turns six this year! During the pandemic, when many found themselves with unexpected time to think and create, Sharon Dunham learned about a community art kit initiative and brought a new version of the idea to the VGA board. 

Partnering with Debbie Teeter, the two launched VGA’s Art Kit Project — funded entirely out of their own pockets in its earliest days. Their vision was simple: to offer free art kits that would inspire creativity for people of all ages across VGA’s diverse communities. 

The program began with a few original kits, including a seashell mosaic kit contributed by then gallery president Donna Saffir Zenobia, who recently passed away and is warmly remembered for her contributions to the gallery. Debbie and I were able to share these early art kit memories with Donna’s family at her Celebration of Life this month. 

Word spread quickly. Beaverton’s Mayor highlighted the effort in his Mayor’s Message in Your City, and an article appeared in THPRD’s Sentinel newsletter at Elsie Stuhr. Over the following years, the City of Beaverton Arts Program awarded two grants that helped sustain and expand the Art Kit Project, allowing VGA to continue placing creativity directly into the hands of its community. 

Six years later, the Art Kit Program stands as a testament to grassroots’ generosity, community outreach, and the power of simple objects to spark one’s imagination.