Moneek Pines created ARTrageous Brush & Flow after gaining inspiration from a painting class and encouraging words from her best friend and cousin. This Sunday, she hopes to activate imagination in the community when she unveils a new free community resource hub.
In January, she announced the Little Free Art Studio on Instagram, saying, “We want to build creativity in our community by sharing art supplies and books for all ages.” The Radical Little Library, previously housed on Armat Street but now at C.W. Henry School in Mt. Airy, inspired Pines to create the new resource hub.
“I totally love being about to donate books or go get a book,” Pines says. “So it’s like the same concept. You can donate art supplies, or you can come to take them with no charge.”
But while the Radical Little Library sits outside, Pines will host the art resource inside her studio. By keeping it inside, she hopes the colors and creations inside will inspire visitors.
“I’m big on community engagement,” the art studio owner explains. “A lot of times when people come into my studio, they tell me they’re so inspired. So I said, well, I have to bring them in the studio. And they can say, “oh, maybe I can paint a picture like that,” or “I’m inspired by those butterflies.”
Pines says art is a community-building activity, calling it boundless and a way to communicate with others. Art has also been therapeutic for her because it’s an expression without words.
She hopes the Little Free Art Studio will inspire other communities to create free art resource hubs. She says, “it could even be as small as a little free art box. It doesn’t have to be something lavish.”
The Little Free Art Studio will unveil this Sunday, February 19th, at ARTrageous Brush & Flow at 6345 Germantown Avenue. Pines invites neighbors of all ages to come out for free family-friendly activities, contests, crafts, and refreshments. The Little Free Art Studio will be fully stocked and ready for use. Neighbors can also bring their donations.
Follow @artrageousbrushandflow on Instagram to stay updated on the Little Free Art Studio and other ARTrageous happenings.