Chester County Teen Launches Art Class Nonprofit

As a 15-year-old Malvern sophomore at Great Valley High School, Faridah Ismaila has combined her love for art with her passion for helping others. Ismaila has created the nonprofit A Paint-full of Promise, offering free monthly art class for kindergarten through sixth grade in her school district.

Her nonprofit provides themed projects, supplies, and classroom art instruction. She is targeting a mid-January launch for a winter wonderland session where kids will make snowflakes and winter-themed coasters.

Before launching her nonprofit, Ismaila has gained national recognition for her artwork. She was a Pennsylvania winner and the national finalist in the 2022 Doodle for Google competition, fueling her aspiration to scale the nonprofit.

“It makes me feel I can still do this. Because sometimes I'll doubt myself. … I can't be having all these big dreams,” Ismaila said to The Philadelphia Inquirer. “But if people want to vote for me and I am recognized nationally, I feel on top of the world. I can do anything.”

Her early ventures in the world of art included YouTube art tutorials and summer/garage-based classes under Faridah's Art Crafty Corner.

Anne Dale, an art teacher at Great Valley High School, commented about Ismaila's ability to mobilize other students to help run her art workshop club, which Dale advises.

“A lot of students have big ideas for clubs, but there's not always follow-through. With her, it's definitely different, and I knew that when she approached me with it,” she told The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Providing children with the tools and opportunity to create artwork is essential to Ismaila and inspires her work.

“It's just the best thing ever,” she said. “Once you start doing art as a kid, it's just a great way to get your feelings out there and express yourself, even if you can't use words to describe it.”