Kids helping Kids 

Kids Creating Art With Heart

Huskisson visual artist and founder of ArtzSpark For Kids, Tracy Verdugo believes that all children are artists and five years ago she set out to prove that with her popular after school classes. With the number of students growing from 8 in 2000 to a current enrolment of 90 , Tracy soon realised that her interaction with the kids was about more than just art. "I found that while the kids were in that creative space I was able to relate to them in a really special way".

My classes began to incorporate some of my own philosophies such as compassion for others and believing wholeheartedly in your dreams, and the kids really enjoyed exploring these ideas" says Tracy, " SPARK stands for Self-confident, Positive, Artistic, Resourceful, Kind Kids and that is my vision for every child that attends my classes."" Last year we decided together to sponsor children at a ratio of 1 sponsor child to 20 ArtzSpark students.

We have 4 sponsor children at the moment but this will grow as the business does."These artistic kids began to do extra jobs around the home to bring in money each week for their sponsor children and periodically send packages of letters and artworks to the children in Mexico, Guatemala, Sumatra and Peru.

In May 2005 they decided to put out a range of Artcards featuring their own original art and these are now for sale with all profits going to their sponsored kids. "I truly believe that when a child is recognised as unique and encouraged to find and be proud of their own special gifts and talents that the whole world can open up for them in a great way."

This year the students have also raised funds for the Sydney Peace Foundation and the School of Hope in Tijuana, Mexico.