Dallas Area Illustrators & Designers Contribute Poster Art

June 24, 2010 - PRLog -- Reston, VA, June 24, 2010 – Abrakadoodle of Dallas-Fort Worth/Mid-Cities galvanized Texas area illustrators and designers to donate original poster designs to help Abrakadoodle in promoting its first summer camp programs and to inspire children to create and have fun with art. Becky and Jeff Moore, directors of Abrakadoodle’s newest Texas franchise location, have both worked in creative departments for advertising and marketing firms. They were inspired by the networking theme at Abrakadoodle’s annual national conference in May and came up with the poster challenge as a way to introduce Abrakadoodle’s mascot “Splat” to the community and to build awareness for Abrakadoodle’s creative summer programs for children. Becky’s letter said, “In the spirit of giving back to the community and fostering a love of art in children of all ages, I am sending out this request to all of my artist friends.” The response was tremendous.

Saul Torres, Principal Creative Director for RSW Creative in Dallas, Texas, cites an understanding about the importance of arts for children as his rationale for getting involved in this project. He says, “I understand that, in the near future, our country’s only global advantage will be our sense of innovation. Innovation comes from creativity. Creativity comes from art classes.” Torres was inspired to pursue art at about 3 years old when his uncle drew a picture of him, which he found magical and has been drawing ever since. “To paraphrase Picasso, art is traveling on a journey and not knowing the destination. That’s what makes it exciting,” he mused.

Christina Griffis works in graphic design at RSW Creative. She says, “I chose to do Mix Mold and Matisse because I love doing scrapbook like things with my hands – whether it is cutting out fun and colorful paper or using clay to make 3D Splat!” Griffis explains her support for this project: “I wish we all still could look at things the way a child does, where a purple dog is the way we see it and not the way society says it should be. Art allows children freedom and that is why it is important that we give our children art how ever we can.”

Inspired to create art by his mom starting at age three, Randy Fisher is an accomplished illustrator in the greater Dallas-Fort Worth area, Texas and reflects, “Art is a way of life.” Fisher chose to participate in this poster project because of his “respect professionally and personally for Becky Moore and her husband Jeff. I had the pleasure of working with Becky on many projects and was always amazed with her creativity and direction she provided. I worked with Jeff for a number of years and I’m just as impressed with his skills and creativity.” Fisher believes in children’s art education: “I think children’s art education is important because it gives a kid a chance to dream and express themselves with something purely from their heart, mind and soul. It might be pretty; it might be ugly, but they can get it out. My brother-in-law is a fifth grade teacher in one of the poorest districts in Ft. Worth. I gave a 45-minute demo and talk to six groups of fifth graders – about 250 kids total – for Career Day. Most of these kids are very poor and are likely to drop out of school so the main point was to encourage staying in school. The art teacher at the school brought in one group of kids, and I found out later that she was surprised with my presentation. She had never considered art as being a career possibility. I was dumbfounded at that comment.”

Mary Erikson is an illustrator, who worked with Becky in the advertising business for several years and welcomed the opportunity to join the poster project. She says, “Not to sound trite, but art is my joy and purpose in life. I hope to constantly learn, grow, and be inspired by the creativity of others, as well as give back in return with art.” Erickson credits “fabulous instructors who took notice and helped me on my way” for her success in the field of art and design. She comments, “I think it’s vital for every child to express themselves creatively, to open their eyes to art everywhere, and most importantly, to let loose and have fun! These are lucky kids to have Becky cheering them on.”

Meet all of the artists and see their poster creations: http://www.abrakadoodle.com/aod_poster.htm.

Becky Moore, Director of Abrakadoodle of Dallas-Fort Worth/Mid-Cities remarked, “I am so gratified by the Texas-sized support shown by our talented industry friends. They each expressed how much fun they had working on this project. It was a chance for them to feel like a kid again…creating something magical. We let them run with it, telling them to use any medium they wanted – the only restrictions were the dimensions, that Splat must be the hero, and that it be kid-friendly and camp-themed.”

Mary Rogers, CEO and co-founder of Abrakadoodle, exclaimed, “Fun wonderful posters! All of our Abrakadoodle locations can make use of these colorful, creative works of art!  We give our warmest thanks to everyone for their work and enthusiasm!!!”

About Abrakadoodle
Established in 2002 by award-winning educator/franchise developer Mary Rogers, MA.Ed and children’s services franchising expert Rosemarie Hartnett, CFE, Abrakadoodle is the most comprehensive international art education franchise of its kind. You can find Abrakadoodle in schools and community sites, providing integrated art instruction, as well as a wide array of art classes, camps, birthday parties and special events for children ages 20 months to 12 years old.

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Abrakadoodle is a nationally recognized company that provides a wide array of creative art classes, camps and birthday parties for children ages 20 months to 12 years old at schools and community sites.