A Paint and Sip Experience for Children and Young Teens
In a unique blend of art and nature during Fooduary: National Harbor's Restaurant Week, Gardening and Beats and the Prince George's Arts and Humanities Council proudly present The Organic Canvas: Farm-to-Frame, Paint and Sip. This a one-of-a-kind event specifically designed for children ages 5 to 14 is an innovative art experience that allows young artists to explore their creativity by using vegetables and fruits to create stunning prints on canvas.
This is more than just an art event; it's an immersive encounter that bridges the gap between nature and art. Children can use the vibrant colors and textures of farm and garden produce to craft their personal masterpieces. This hands-on approach nurtures their artistic skills and deepens their connection with the environment in an eco-friendly and sustaibable manner, offering a delightful journey from palette to palate.
What to Expect:
PAINTING SESSION, participants will unleash their creativity on canvases inspired by the beauty of nature and organic farming.
Healthy COOKING DEMONSTRATION by the culinary duo from Taste Buds Box, Brittany Young and Chef Shavown.
DJ Dyl, known as 'Youngest in Charge,' will set the mood with ENGAGING MUSIC.
Host KIMANI Anku will delight the young participants with specially crafted CHILDREN'S MOCKTAILS.
Let your child's imagination bloom in a space where art and agriculture come together for an unforgettable experience. We will provide all the necessary art supplies, so you can just bring your creative minds and get ready to have a blast! Plus, we'll have refreshing drinks to keep your energy up as you paint.
Whether you're a beginner or have some painting experience, this event is perfect for your young child and/or teen who loves art, loves to cook and wants to learn more about gardening.
Secure your spot today and cultivate the artist within.
COST: FREE
ABOUT KIMANI ANKU, Gardening and Beats
Host and Visionary
Kimani Anku is a native of the DMV (Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia) area who developed a passion for gardening and growing his own food more than a decade ago, using unconventional methods. Over the years, he has faced various challenges and seasons in his life but has emerged from them stronger and better. His dedication to gardening has led him to turn his passion into a thriving garden coaching service, Gardening and Beats.
In addition to his gardening pursuits, Kimani is deeply involved in community and youth-oriented activities. He actively engages in youth programming and uses his services to combat food insecurity in Prince George's County. He takes pride in organizing events that combine art and wellness for kids and teenagers, such as his summer youth camp called "Melanated Earthling Explorers." These events encompass a wide range of activities, including cooking demonstrations, beekeeping, fishing, yoga, painting, and gardening lessons.
Kimani has also achieved recognition for his work as an award-winning podcaster. His podcast series, "BLAK Gardener Talk," received the 2022 Webby Award for Best Sustainability and Environmental Podcast, highlighting his commitment to promoting sustainable practices and environmental awareness through his platform.
ABOUT BRITTANY YOUNG & CHEF SHAVOWN, Taste Buds Box LLC
Taste Buds Box, LLC grew from a mother-daughter bond over family, food, health, and culture. Shavown and Brittany are a mother daughter duo who have the desire to impact families one taste bud at a time.
Brittany's "Gana" lived by the motto: My kids will know that the world is bigger than their neighborhood. She passed this motto down to Shavown who passed it down to Brittany. Their family may not have had the funds to hop on a plane and go, but they did have food! The dinner table became a place where their family took flight, trying foods from different countries, and learning about different cultures.
In addition to world travel, Taste Buds is also about helping families maintain healthy lifestyles. As parents, Shavown and Brittany know how challenging it can be to prepare a healthy meal for your family every day. Taste Buds seeks to help kids and families take ownership of their health by teaching cooking techniques and sharing healthy lifestyle tips.
Growing healthy families and connecting people of different cultures is our way of helping the world be a better place for future generations to come!
Chef Shavown Cox
Shavown Gardiner Cox has worked with kids for over 30 years in various positions as a counselor at a residential treatment center, a childcare director, and a child-life specialist in the pediatric intensive care unit. It was her work in the pediatric unit that inspired her to transition to culinary arts. Shavown wanted to focus her efforts on preventive healthcare through food education. She is now a professional chef who specializes in health supportive culinary arts. She graduated with highest honors from the Institute of Culinary Education in Pasadena, California. She is a wife, mother of three children, and grandmother to five amazing kids under the age of 10. She has always cooked from the heart, and it is her heart's desire to educate and support families in making the healthiest choices when it comes to preparing and cooking food.
Brittany Young
Brittany Young, M.Ed. is an educator with experience working with a wide variety of organizations, students, families, teachers, and other service providers for over 15 years.
Brittany has worked with institutions for incarcerated youth, public school districts on both the east and west coast, and independent school organizations as an English teacher, a special education teacher/coordinator, and a learning specialist. Brittany maintained a “highly effective” rating over 4 years by DC Public Schools IMPACT teacher evaluation system. She is also a “Teacher of the Year” recipient for the West Covina Unified School District in California. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in English from Howard University, and her Master’s degree from George Washington University, concentrating in both Secondary English and Special Education. She is a wife and mother of four children. In addition to co-owning and operating Taste Buds, she homeschools her three school-aged children.
ABOUT DJ DYL, DJ Dyl Entertainment
Dylan Gatewood-Robinson aka DJ Dyl is a 15 year old professional DJ from Prince George's County, MD. Dylan began to show a fiery passion for music at the age of 8.
At 10 years old he received his first mixing board and began mixing music. At 12 he became a student at the Quick and Eazy DJ School with DJ Quick Silva. Since graduating from the program in 2021 he has DJ'd over 25 events ranging from birthday parties to corporate events.
DJ Dyl was recently featured on NBC4 News speaking about his future in DJing. DJ Dyl is well known in the DMV area and continues to grow in popularity among the youth and adolescent party scene.