I started my non-profit as a result of the school budget cuts that were funding the art programs at my school. I started My Summer Mission in the summer of 2009.  My goal was to raise money and supplies for my Art Magnet Program to allow us to continue to do what we love… paint! I felt the need to come up with a game plan to fill in the gaps for supplies. I also washed lots of cars to raise money to pay for supplies on behalf of some of the students who could not afford their art supply fees.

I wrote to about 40 companies asking for donations of any kind. The response was so beautiful and overwhelming! I realized that it was only the beginning of my mission to help other kids and that there was so much more to do. That was the beginning of The Traveling Canvas… painting the world a new color!

In the future, I believe that creative minds will be valued more than they are today. I believe that grown-ups will realize the importance of feeding our minds with art and creativity and put an end to taking this away little by little every year. Creativity should be promoted more in our school. It will inspire kids like me to be better prepared to be a problem solver, inventor, entrepreneur, philanthropist and future mentors to the next generation. Through my art and imaginary skills, it has given me the ability to strive to achieve great things in my life. I want to share that with every child on this planet! I love what Albert Einstein said “Imagination is more powerful than knowledge”.

I hope that I can build bridges with the people who have the resources and abilities to keep the tradition of art alive in schools and our communities. Reaching out to other people whether it be the donors or the recipients of the art supplies is helping me to be a better person. It has taught me a lot about giving, receiving and appreciating what I have because there are so many other people who have so little . It has also shown me what I believed in my heart all along…there ARE people out there who care and want to help. As one donor said to me “All you have to do is ask.”

My mission is to inspire others to grow personally, emotionally, artistically and spiritually by using my compassion, artistic abilities and my belief in others’ goodness and potential. Art has provided me with well rounded growth and has truly enriched my life. I would like to share that experience with all the children of the world. This is the beginning of my story and I hope that it will continue for a lifetime. For those people and companies who donated and made this possible, I thank you so very much. Without your support, I would not be writing this story. You made My Summer Mission one of the best memories of my life. You have done an amazing act of kindness that I will carry with me forever. P.S.: My sweet Uncle James wrote this song, Barefoot Princess. It means a lot to me because I was the inspiration for the seed of this beautiful song. He is an artist too, like me, who has a lot to say and share with the world. Tell him your thoughts at jamestslater.com   This text will be replaced by the flash msic player.
		Tae Tae Davis Founder The Traveling Canvas... painting the world a new color! taetae@thetravelingcanvas.com