Seeds of the League Newsletter-June

“It’s about inclusivity—you belong here.”

Happy Pride Month from the Seeds of the League team! This month we celebrate acceptance, happiness, visibility, and honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising. We have stories from queer artists such as Mickalene Thomas and Frida Kahlo, who have revolutionized the art world and serve as huge inspirations.

In addition, we have six new stories by Seeds alumni and current students who have always been passionate about art and continue to pursue this passion with the help of Seeds. Our students and alumni have big dreams of entering careers in interior design, psychology, and even as a mortician, all while practicing skill sets to become better artists. These captivating narratives introduce the perseverance and determination of our students.

Hope you join us again next month for the July Newsletter!

Jacqueline Melanie Huari

Mexican/Peruvian
Anatomy has always interested me because I want to become a mortician when I’m older. I want to open my own LGBTQ+ friendly funeral home where people will be able to request without judgement on how they want to be remembered and presented when they die. Everyone deserves the chance to leave this world and be remembered the way they want and the way they were.

Maya Vazquez

Puerto-Rican/ Belizean/ Mexican/ Mayan Indian
My father was a freelance artist and taught me the basics of art at a very young age. I was always surrounded by works of art, usually my father’s. I was also surrounded by volumes of books about the lives of famous artists my father loved and eventually I grew to love and admire them myself.

Ashton Agbomenou

Benin
When I arrived at the High School of Art and Design, I’d already made up my mind that I was to become an artist. It was a decision that my parents haven’t taken kindly to. In school, I no longer just created art to compete with my classmates—now my art was about satisfying the elements and principles of design to the fullest of my capabilities.

Shaine Dyani Featherstone

Guyanese/Puerto-Rican
I always loved helping others and expressing myself without words. I’ve been drawing on and off since middle school; the first time was when I lost my grandfather. I found it to be a great way to relieve myself of the stress I was feeling inside. Not too long in my freshman year, I discovered psychology.

Durga Norris

French/Jewish
My biggest art inspiration is Kenyan artist Wangechi Mutu because her art style is inspiring and makes me want to pursue art and improve. Mutu’s use of color and subject and as well as the beautifully morbid details in her work are the main reasons she’s my current favorite artist.

Mayah Wade

African-American
I have always been interested in pursuing a career in the arts either as a fashion designer or an artist in general. Moving to New York from Georgia was supposed to be my chance to pursue that because all the art high schools seem to be in New York.