Art Beat feature: Spark! Creativity brings arts education into Edmonds School District classrooms

July 18, 2026 - 20:45

Art supplies started taking over Founder Tanya Sharp's basement one donation at a time. Sharp accepted the steady influx as community members dropped off paints, paper, recycled materials and other creative goods. What began as a storage problem soon sparked a bigger idea: bringing professional arts instruction directly into local schools.

Sharp launched Spark! Creativity to fill a gap she saw in the Edmonds School District. Many elementary classrooms lacked dedicated art teachers, and budget cuts had squeezed out hands-on creative time. Sharp wanted to change that by sending teaching artists into schools to lead workshops in painting, sculpture, printmaking, and mixed media.

The program now serves hundreds of students across multiple elementary schools. Each workshop is designed to align with classroom learning while giving kids a chance to experiment with real materials. Sharp says the goal is not just to make art, but to build confidence and problem-solving skills. Students learn to think visually, collaborate on projects, and express ideas that words alone cannot capture.

Teachers report that the sessions help children who struggle in traditional academic settings. Art offers an alternative way to succeed, and the hands-on nature of the workshops keeps even restless students engaged. Sharp hopes to expand the program into more schools and eventually offer after-school classes.

For now, she is grateful that the donations kept coming. What once cluttered her basement now fills classrooms with color, texture, and imagination.