Thanks to generous donations raised through the 2024 Apogaea Gayla and a discount partnership with Meininger’s Art Supply, Clara Brown Entrepreneurial Academy in Aurora received nearly $4,000 worth of brand-new art supplies for its emerging middle school program.
Part of Apogaea CATS new community arts programs, the donation includes nine pottery wheels, professional-grade paints, crystalline glazes, watercolor paper, palettes, clay, glue, and sketchbooks for every eighth grader, which is a huge leap forward for a school still finding its identity after transforming from a K-5 into a full K-8 campus.
Art teacher Kenneth McBroom called the supplies a “game-changer,” especially after inheriting an outdated, moldy collection of materials that he had to throw away. Now, with tools he’s never been able to afford before, McBroom says students are “already buzzing” about the pottery wheels and excited to dive into new mediums like etching and painting on high-quality paper. He emphasized how critical hands-on art is today, calling it “a much-needed pause” from the overstimulation of screens and social media. With this support, Clara Brown’s middle school art program is getting a huge boost at a critical time.
“You don’t just hand kids creativity,” McBroom said. “You give them time, space, and supplies, and let boredom do the rest.”