Page 14 - Child Art Magazine Transformative Experiences

2007WCF

Growing up in New Jersey, I have always pursued my
strong passions for both the arts and the sciences. From
elementary school to high school, I always seemed to find
myself with either a paintbrush or textbook in hand. My
personal ambition and dream is to be able to spread the
essentiality of global empathy—it is my personal belief
that art is a medium through which we can create such a
broadening of perspectives.

My parents truly fostered an environment that was
enriching for my sense of imagination and curiosity.
As a child, they constantly supported any ideas I had
that seemed “out-of-the-box” or required any sort of
imagination. To further this, they always took the family to
visit interesting destinations that stimulated my curiosity,
such as interactive museums and scientific laboratories.
I still continue to challenge myself in my everyday life by
implementing what I’ve learned from my parents.

One of my greatest accomplishments was working with
children and adults from around the world at a workshop
during the World Children’s Festival. Participants of the
workshop worked together to create a large collage out of
folded paper cranes, and on those cranes were messages While you’re still young, broaden your knowledge and
of well-being to all those around the world. This was one understanding of the world around you. It becomes so
of the key moments that seemed so tangible and real—it easy to forget that we inhabit the world with billions
was one of the moments when I realized how creating art of others, all with different and vibrant backgrounds,
could truly bring many different people together to spread cultures, and experiences. Because of this, know that
a kind message of empathy and friendship. it is never too early to be curious and learn so that you
can help contribute to our global sense of empathy and
The ICAF workshop truly opened my eyes to the power cultural understanding.
of art as a medium of spreading the message of empathy.
However, ICAF has also greatly impacted my sense of Sorasicha Nithikasem, a past winner of the Arts Olympiad
creativity when I was first brainstorming what kind is currently ICAF Youth Board Member. She has emceed
of workshops to host. It was important to develop a creative the World Children’s Festivals, presented the World
way to unite people from different parts of the globe, allowing Children’s Award, and represented the ICAF at major
them to momentarily forget their differences and understand events. She is a freshman at New York University studying
their common love for art and spreading empathy. Pre-Medicine as well as taking classes in Studio Art.

Sorasicha Nithikasem

Art to Empathy

12 ChildArt January -March 2017