Backstory

When I was eight years old, I made a drawing of many hands with the caption: “Art Can Save the World.” I didn’t fully understand how to bring that idea to life—until January 29, 2025, when tragedy struck. That night in Washington, D.C., a helicopter collided with a plane preparing to land at Ronald Reagan Airport. Aboard that plane were 28 members of the figure skating community—some were friends of my friends and coaches.

I felt compelled to act. I drew portraits of the skaters and coaches we lost, shared them on Instagram, and received an outpouring of gratitude. People asked for prints, so I digitized the drawing, sold copies, and donated all the proceeds to the victims’ families. I later created T-shirts featuring the artwork and the words “Skate With Their Spirit”—not just to raise funds, but to give people a way to carry their loved ones’ memories with them. That campaign raised over $10,000, with even national champion Amber Glenn among those who bought shirts. Messages poured in from people saying it helped them heal in the way I had hoped.

The skating world will never be the same without those we lost, but knowing my art brought comfort and connection to so many gave me peace.
 

The Vision

That moment helped me realize something my eight-year-old self already knew: while one piece of art might not “save the world,” it can change a world. Our world is made up of countless small communities—the neighborhoods, rinks, studios, and gathering places where we find joy, comfort, and belonging. If we can brighten lives in these little corners and inspire others to do the same, we can change the whole world for the better.
 

I am only one person. I can only create and share so much myself. But what I can do is support and empower other artists to use their work in similar ways: to fundraise, to donate, to inspire, to heal.