November 29, 2014

Where Did Art Start For You? - Amanda Shatzko, Visual and Performing Artist

In the days leading up to GivingTuesday on December 2, 2014, we are sharing stories from artists in the ArtStarts community. We asked them, "Where did art start for you?" It's a question that asks us to reflect on our own lives in order to see where along our journey our passion for the arts was sparked.

What is GivingTuesday?

GivingTuesday is a movement for giving and volunteering that takes place this year on December 2, 2014. Taking place each year right after Black Friday and Cyber Monday, GivingTuesday is proof that the holiday season can be about both giving and giving back. GivingTuesday is the perfect time for the world to come together and show how powerful humanity can be when we unite to give on one day.

How YOU Can Help

ArtStarts fosters creative experiences for young people. Your support can spark the start of something special.

• Share your own story at artstarts.com/you
• Donate today or on December 2, 2014 to help ArtStarts bring creativity into young lives across BC!

Double Your Impact on Dec 2 with Interac Online

Choose Interac Online when you donate here on December 2, 2014 and Interac will match up to your donation, up to $25. Your $25 donation becomes $50! Click here to donate via Canada Helps on December 2, 2014—and remember to select Interac Online as your payment method.

Read visual and performing artist Amanda Shatzko's story below and share your own story at artstarts.com/you

Where did art start for you?

Art started for me with the simple discovery of….. The CRAYON. There is something magical in the tiny vibrant wax sticks. They are the form of many children's self-discovery and dreams. For myself, it began when I was about 3 years old and was given a rainbow assortment of crayons and a coloring book to fulfill my imagination and creative exploration. I would sit for hours at the living room coffee table coloring, learning how to eventually stay within the lines and develop shading techniques. From there I ran with the process, competing in local coloring contests and school projects eventually exploring my own drawing skills alongside color sophistication in a variety of mediums. The color has stuck with me ever since. Adventurous I still explore the rainbow of possibilities to this day. 

Then for the dual edge to my art, my love for performance came in the discovery of patterns, body exploration, musicality and boundaries in my enrollment at the Okanagan School of Ballet at the age of five. My instructor Debbie Banks had a captivating way to enthrall my class into understanding body technique of the simple steps of skipping, marching and prancing around the room. Fundamental skills that led me to pursue a variety of professional performing avenues throughout my career.

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