Surayya-3/2/09-Materials For The Arts

On February 25, 2009 Sadie, Madeline, and I went on our first visit to Materials For The Arts.  When planning for our trip I was emailing back and forth with the volunteer coordinator, Johnese Wilson.  When we got there we were first introduced to the deputy director, Chelsea Romersa, who talked to us about how often we could be there and what they were looking for in interns.  We then talked to the direct donations coordinator, Ahmed Tigani, who talked to us about how they give art materials to public schools and non-profit organizations.  After him, we talked to Johnese Wilson (the woman I had been emailing with).  She just gave us the overall description of their organization and what they were trying to do.  This organization gives art materials to public schools and non-profit organizations that are committed to some kind of art.  They can take as much as they want, but are required to write a thank-you letter to the donators.  The small items have random donators, but electronics like televisions and computers have a specific donator that they would have to write the letter to.  This organiztion is in special need of electronics that are fairly new (about 3 years old) and still working, so if you have any electronics that you know would be helpful for an organization that is committed to arts (that means no cellphones, gaming systems and so on) and you would like to donate it, please contact Ahmed Tigani at atigani@mfta.org or call 718-729-3001 x.203.  Thank you.

Me, Johnese, Sadie, and Maddie

After we talked to Johnese, Chelsea, and Ahmed, Johnese gave us a tour of the place.  There were electronics, beads, paper, backdrops, paint, and a lot of other things.