timeofchange

“The center has had a good impact on me, but I’m not going to say that it’s been keeping me off the streets, because I’m smart enough not to do that, but it’s given me something to do instead of going home, sitting on the couch and watching TV, or playing video games

“I feel that art affects our lives every day and without art, the world we live in would be a dull one. Art saves so many lives and keeps so many young minds positive, giving them something to do. Art can change lives in so many different ways — art is a good way for people to express themselves positively.

“By being a positive role model and mentoring younger and less experienced artists, I hope to show them the plus-side of being a good artist and how being an artist can make you a better, more mature person.

“I just feel more experienced now, being an assistant teacher, It’s made me work harder and practice more. When I became a student teacher, I told myself that I had to be able to do more than I could at the time, so I started putting up more work. I knew the other students were looking up to me to set an example, so I did."