We are thrilled to be welcoming dynamic, experienced, and brilliant instructors to Make-It to teach the young people in the Emerging Young Creatives Program this summer. From jewelry design to photography to business strategy, we will be welcoming professional artists, designers and creatives every week to teach youth participants the fundamentals of their craft. 

One of these instructors is Malaika Ross, a painter and drawer living and creating in Easthampton. Malaika creates botanical paintings of native and introduced flora in Western MA. Malaika integrates her studies in soil microbiology with her extensive studies of and experience in the arts to paint vibrant and detailed studies of plants. Each painting looks deeply at the plants featured, bringing an inquisitive perspective to the flower, leaves, seed or mosses. 

Malaika Ross will be joining the Emerging Young Creatives program for a day long workshop where she will guide students through observing plants, followed by an exploration of creating botanical drawings and paintings. We are so excited to welcome Malaika to Make-It Springfield and to learn more about botanical drawing and painting from her. To learn more about Malaika Ross, visit her website here.

Images pictured above: (left) Winter marcescence: Decaying beech leaves which remained on branches during the winter season and beech buds, 16 x 20 in. Ink and acrylic on canvas; (center) Meadow bouquet in late spring, 9 x 12 in. Watercolor and ink on paper; (right) the artist.

The Emerging Young Creatives Program is fast approaching. Starting on July 5 and concluding on August 11, eight young women+ will spend 6 weeks in this exciting and transformative summer program tapping into their unique creativity skills, growing creative community and learning together from professional creative instructors and mentors. This is a one-of-a-kind opportunity for young women+!

Please help us to spread the word about this program to 13-18 year old women+ you know who may still be looking to join an immersive, fun and creative program for this summer! You can find more information here and sign up here; you can also reach out to Brittany Dunn, Outreach Coordinator for Make-It Springfield at brittany@makeitspringfield.org.