I am a 27-year-old full-time artist living in Southwest Roanoke, Virginia. I am originally from Franklin county, Virginia, and graduated with my bachelors in psychology from Emory Henry college in 2018. I have always had a love for art, but grew up with the belief that artists never made money until they died, so I needed to get a job. I took a few art classes here, and there throughout high school in college, fostering my creativity, and giving me an outlet from my studies, but went for with a psychology degree that I have yet to put to use in 2024. I was blessed enough to discover my love for painting right after graduating college. Working a few jobs here and there, and spending my free time painting commissions of peoples dogs led me to eventually painting full-time. Most of my work is still painting those beloved family pets, and I have now extended my services to face painting and paint nights, as well as dabbling in painting murals when presented the opportunity.

I do many things on the scope of painting, including commissioned, portraits, face, painting, murals, and paint nights. My main focus is pet portraits. I paint acrylic portraits on canvas, ranging in sizes from 6 x 6 to 18 x 24, and happily larger if anyone ever does request. I base my portraits very much on reference photos that the owners send of their pets. These are typically the photos they love the most, and I use these photos too, create a realistic, bold and colorful pet portrait for the client.

My second favorite scope of my business would be my pain nights. At work a lot with the Roanoke city libraries, specifically, Melrose and Raleigh Court, to hold monthly nights for the community. Not only is it rewarding for me to step outside of my comfort zone and put myself in front of a group of people, which I have a history of being afraid to do, but it is also beautiful for me to watch the community. Come together, some enriching, innocent afternoon, fun. I have people that bring their children in each month, as well as people that come alone, and people that come with their significant others. I feel like if you have a talent or skill and people are interested in learning, it is a disservice to the world not show up in that way.

I would like to use the grant money to host three paint nights over the year of 2024. I have yet to decide if they will be for solely children, or if they will be open to any age. I am considering doing one for children, one for 21 and up, and one for families that is not definite, but just my current Thought process. Most of the paint that I host are privately rented parties or programs through the library system, or something of the like I would love to put my brand April Rose on the front line really advocate for myself and my business, as well as bringing different members of the community together. As much as I love doing my pay nights at the libraries, I do tend to see a lot of the same patrons month-to-month. I would like to be able to advertise my events on social media platforms to different people and in the community that don’t necessarily go to the libraries often. I would like to be able to offer a free to very low cost ticket price to people so that more people can come and have the experience of a night. I would consider doing them near holidays or well-known dates like around St. Patrick’s Day, Thanksgiving, or Christmas for instance. I want to make a inviting atmosphere at a nice venue, and offer food and drink as well.

The proposed community paint nights aim to advance wellness, foster inclusion, and contribute to the overall fabric of the community. By offering a creative and communal space for residents to express themselves through art, these events become a space for mental well-being and stress relief. Art has the power to bring people together, breaking down barriers and promoting inclusivity. This initiative seeks to address social isolation by providing a platform for individuals to connect, share experiences, and celebrate their creativity while learning some basic painting skills. In doing so, it contributes to the broader goal of fostering a sense of belonging and community pride. The paint nights aspire to transform shared spaces into vibrant, inclusive environments, ultimately enhancing the quality of life in Roanoke and promoting the values of wellness and inclusion.

I don’t necessarily have specific dates, chosen yet, but I would like them to at least be a month or two apart each. I will likely frame them around specific themes, so holidays are a likely time. Of course, not right on the holiday, but a week or so before maybe.

Partners would be any venues that I might rent out. I am considering commercial spaces as well as maybe a brewery or winery for an adult night.

Engaging in these community paint nights holds so much value for me as an artist because it not only allows me to share my passion, but also takes me a step closer to my goal of fostering a vibrant and connected artistic community. By creating a space for people to express themselves through art, I not only contribute to the local cultural scene but also strengthen my ties with the community. The partnership with the community and any involved organizations enhances the reach of my work, making art more accessible and meaningful to a diverse audience. Through this collaboration, I anticipate personal growth, expanding my artistic network, and witnessing a positive change in the community’s perception of art as a tool for connection and self-expression.

Maybe a list of possible venues?