Arts for Asylum Seekers

How to sponsor:

1. Look through the list of Creatives below and choose who you would like to sponsor. 

2. To sponsor by online donation, follow the link by the Creative's name to go to their online fundraising page.

3. To sponsor by sending a check, fill out the form below.

4. In April, you will start receiving the Creatives' work via e-mail or another online method. 

CASAN is a registered 501c(3) and all donations are tax deductible. 

Check to see if your employer will match your contribution.

Click here to sponsor by check

Notes about donating online:

• Credit or debit card donations from outside the US are accepted.

• You do not need to tip Give Lively in order to sponsor.

If you experience any trouble donating, contact artsforasylumseekers@casanvermont.org.

Participating Creatives

Adinah's Photography - I will share photographs 3 times per week via email. I am a passionate photographer who loves making people feel joy when the look at my photos. Instagram: @adinasphotographyafas Sponsor Adinah

Amy Connors - I will be sharing pieces focused on symbolism, nature and animals as well as Greek mythology.  I work with many different mediums including painting, pastels and occasionally wood burning.  I will try to share once a day if I can, if not, probably every other day by email. Sponsor Amy

Becky - Every week by email I will post my favorite sunset pictures from my home on Lake Champlain.  I will also include a short uplifting meditation / message of hope and gratitude. I am a retired pediatric nurse and have lived year round in our lake home in Colchester for 12 years enjoying the beauty of nature, the lake, the mountains, and our gorgeous sunsets. Sponsor Becky

Bruce Lee - I am going to create a series of political style cartoons. I will share my work at least three times a week via email. I am a semi-professional artist inspired by a variety of artists and genres, especially the political cartoons and satire of the 1940's - '60's. I am excited to use my artistic voice to express my ideas during these unusual times. My cartoons will be pointed, but will not use hate speech, profanity, or violence. Sponsor Bruce

Caroline Connors - I will be sharing photos I've taken in my home of Washington, DC and some from recent travels from the last year. This will be my third year doing Arts for Asylum Seekers. Each year I like to explain that I focus my photos on trying to take photos of otherwise missed moments or iconic backgrounds from different perspectives. I will try to share once or twice a week, if not more. I will be using email to share my photos. I have been excited to volunteer for this project for three years because it is a mission I feel strongly about. I have worked for companies that hire members seeking asylum. I have heard their stories, seen their work ethic, and been truly amazed by these kind people who make our country better. Sponsor Caroline

Devorah Creates - I will share whimsical watercolor paintings that will hopefully brighten your day. I plan to collaborate on a book with another Creative, Hannah Martin. I plan to share my watercolors twice a week by e-mail. I may also share some bonus whittled objects from my younger sibling. Sponsor Devorah

Douglas Beagley - Advice I Hope to Follow: 30 Days of Tips for Creatives Join me for 30 days of reflections on creativity! This April, I will seek out tips, advice, and contemplations on creative work. Each day, I will email you a link to an audio reflection: a "mini-podcast" that shares a single idea for improving our craft, be it writing, visual arts, music, or other form of expression. Sponsor Douglas

Ella - I'm going to vary my work throughout the month: mostly comics, but also drawings, poems, stories, or works in progress. I'll share them once a week with my subscribers via email, or potentially a blog. Portfolio: https://schneid-portfolio.carrd.co/# Sponsor Ella

Hannah Martin - I will be creating four hand-made books, with four different binding methods. I'll document the process of putting the books together through photos and descriptions which I will post on a blog. I'll e-mail my sponsors a link to the newest updates once a week. One book will be a collaboration with another Creative, Devorah Creates. Sponsor Hannah

Julie - I plan to do a watercolor 3 times a week to be shared through email with subscribers. I enjoy the medium of watercolor when the way colors fall, drip, and mix in unexpected ways. Sponsor Julie

Kareem Ryce aka SPLIT MIND - For Arts for Asylum Seekers I plan to share content once a week. This content will be art and behind the scenes of my creative life. I will be sharing content via email and Instagram. Sponsor Kareem

Karen Newman - I will collect the emails of my sponsors and create a group email. Then I will encourage people to send me prompts. I will share the art I make in response to these prompts once per week with everyone. I will most likely respond to prompts with a cartoon, but depending on the prompt I may do a painting, collage, sculpture, drawing, cloth creation, poem, microfiction, or even a song!!! Think of it as slow-motion improv. Sponsor Karen

Kate Maynard - I plan to focus on Paper Arts, particularly card making and small collages that highlight themes of hope, kindness, and solidarity. I will share my work via emails to my sponsors. My goal would be to send something out 2-3 times/week, with some explanation of each piece and its significance for me. If inspired I might include some of my own poems as well. I am a writer, poet, social justice activist, and teacher. The relationship between imagination, nature, art, and divine encounter shapes my creative and literary sensibilities. Sponsor Kate

Lynette Reep - I will be taking pictures of natural spaces with an emphasis on early Spring wildflowers plus any early insect pollinators I can find. I will share the photos (some of which will eventually be made into cards) and occasional ruminations about what I discover during these (sc)outings. I will post two to three times a week via email. I have dipped into photography off and on for years, but last Spring I began in earnest to photograph flowers and bugs, mostly in closeup, during my daily walks around the neighborhood and beyond. When the bees died off or went to ground last Fall and the flowers faded I turned to card making as a way to prolong the joy that the experience had brought me. I can’t wait to get out there again! Sponsor Lynette

Works of He(art)-- Martha - I shall throw you a pot or pots-- dishwasher-safe; microwaveable (generally).  What do you need?  Bowls?  Mugs?  Urns?  Vases?  Through-out April, I'll e-mail photos of the process and possibilities, reflections on my 44-year love for working on the wheel. In addition, my subscribers may place an order - no charge except for postage. As a daughter of refugees to the U.S.A. following the Nazi genocide, the purpose of CASAN is particularly close to my heart. Sponsor Martha

Meagan De Clerck - I will create a series of acrylic paintings exploring themes of displacement, featuring portraits of asylum seekers, refugees, and immigrants without status. Alongside the artwork, I will provide insights into their experiences and the distinctions between these groups. These paintings will serve as political statements, sparking conversation and awareness. I will share new work weekly with subscribers via email and social media. I am an acrylic and multimedia artist - a great deal of my work explores themes of displacement, resilience, and human connection. Drawing from my background in refugee resettlement and international crisis management, my paintings will highlight the faces and stories of immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers. Through a series of acrylic portraits, I will attempt to capture and share the strength and individuality of those navigating the complexities of displacement. Some of my pieces are in the "shop" section of my website darlaluz.com. Sponsor Meagan

Nicole - I will draw one portrait per week of an ancestor who moved to the U.S. from their country of origin to start a life and a family here. My family is the product of immigration from at least four different countries, and we wouldn't be here today if they had been turned away from the U.S. I will share my drawings by email. Sponsor Nicole

Penni - My project will be a Lap quilt, 60" x 72".  My plan is to donate the completed quilt to Project Linus.  It donates blankets/quilts to children 0 - 18 who are seriously ill in the USA. I plan to update my sponsors weekly via email.  I will attach photos of my progress. Sponsor Penni

Rick Castillo - For this fundraiser I plan to draw from the large volume of photographs and videos of the beautiful and exciting birds of Vermont that I've created over the years.  I will create new short videos for my sponsors that highlight my best work. I will share the videos with my sponsors once per week in April. Each weekly collection of short videos will have a theme such as: Crabapple Tree Birds, Birds in Vermont Backyards, Birds in Wondrous Vermont Waterscapes, and Astonishing & Funny Bird Antics. As one of my sponsors you can expect an email each week of April with links to the themed Vermont Bird videos. I am an amateur photographer, videographer, and digital artist. I came to Vermont in 2014 to start a job as a housing advocate at CVOEO. I am retired now and I’m blessed with time to pursue my art. I especially enjoy photographing the magical places and creatures I encounter while paddling my kayak in Vermont. Sponsor Rick

Terry Zigmund & Zoe Wilson - We will create a community-engaged mosaic project that educates members of our community on the asylum seeking process. Members of the public and sponsors are invited to attend an event on March 26th from 5-8pm at Standing Stone Wines in Winooski. Drop in anytime between 5-8 to create a 4”x4” glass and ceramic mosaic to be incorporated into a large mosaic mural, all supplies are included, we are requesting a $5 donation to Art for Asylum Seekers for each square created. We will share our photos and written updates via email once per week during April. For examples of previous community-engaged murals please visit:  https://www.burlingtonglass.net/community-based-art-projectspublic-art. Sponsor Terry & Zoe

Tom Connors - As I did last year, my plan is to share, 3-4 times a week, through e-mail, a message of positivity, either something original or something other than my own with my own relevant commentary. I have been influenced by national leaders like Barack Obama and John Lewis and inspired by young influencers like Amanda Gorman, Greta Thunberg and David Hogg. I am a retired financial executive and college accounting professor, but I have always enjoyed writing.  In a time when the world is full of bad news (wars, gun violence, racism, political strife and disinformation) I'd like to inject some positivity into people's lives.  I have been volunteering for CASAN for four years and have had the pleasure of working with some amazing families who have come here seeking asylum. Sponsor Tom

Wes Carr - Experience life in Underhill center through my sketches. See the goings-on of a young family through the medium of the humble pen. A couple times a week, I'll email you a new pen and inkwash drawing from around our 1 acre plot as the land comes alive in april. I lean toward subjects that are well-lit and often mundane. I'm honored to fill up your email box this April with art. I loved to draw in school and after a 20 year break, in january of this year, I picked it up again. I believe anyone can draw and we're often too hard on ourselves to let the hobby take hold. To live this way in my work, I strive to forgive and embrace my own mistakes. Maybe I can inspire you to give it a shot? Here's the book that helped rekindle the hobby: Everyday Sketching and Drawing. Sponsor Wes

Wink of Africa - I will share my jewelry and clothing creation for Arts for Asylum Seekers once every week via email. I have a unique style that blends rich cultural influences with artistic expression, making my pieces truly special. I want to share my style with anyone who feels drawn to it and would love to wear it as a reflection of their own beauty and individuality. I am a Black African woman with a deep passion for crafting and sewing. I create African-inspired jewelry and clothing that not only reflect my African heritage but also incorporate influences from my travels across different continents. Through my designs, I blend traditional and modern elements, celebrating both my roots and the diverse cultures I have encountered.

Jewelry: I craft my jewelry with passion, creativity, love and emotion. Each piece is one of a kind, reflecting my unique design and carving styles. The uniqueness of my jewelry comes from the nature of my material - primarily recycled material, cow bone, buffalo horns and coconut shells - and my African-inspired design. My pieces range from plain to colored, and for the colored ones, I use organic dyes like henna. Clients describe my jewelry as statement pieces. Despite their large size, they are surprisingly light.

Clothing: My clothing is made from luxurious, colorful fabrics and textiles that celebrate vibrancy and elegance. Each design is beautifully crafted, combining traditional and contemporary influences to create unique, eye-catching pieces. Both my jewelry and clothing are rich in detail and style. They remain accessible and flattering for people of all ages. Sponsor Wink of Africa

Opinons expressed by Creatives in their work are their own, and not necessarily a reflection of policy or opinions held by CASAN board members, volunteers, or the families or individuals CASAN assists.