As kids, most of us have probably drawn all over ourselves to the horror of our parents, or at least on some form of property. For many of us, it was just a phase, but for junior Bailey Fu, it signaled the embarkment of her artistic journey. From her preschool scribbles to now her diverse charcoal and acrylic paintings, Bailey has grown to realize that art is “a way to explore deeper issues, and express them in a creative way.” 

A little over a year ago, Bailey launched ArtSprouts, a platform that features local students’ art, displaying over 140 artworks from 50 unique artists around the community. Her interest in starting ArtSprouts sparked when she realized that many students are not as fortunate to have the same art resources as many Los Altos students do. 

Several artworks on the platform are also for sale. Bailey partners with local businesses and patrons to sell the artworks, where 15 percent of the profits are donated to Title 1 low-income schools’ art programs and youth art related charities.

“I realized that many kids from underprivileged communities didn’t even have the means to create art in their school’s underfunded–or even nonexistent–art programs,” Bailey said. “That’s when I decided to create a non-profit that not only allows kids to share their art, but also reaches out to small businesses interested in buying and supporting local students’ art.”

Bailey is currently collaborating with Bay Area Enterprises (BAE) Initiative, a student-led local organization aimed to support local businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“We are creating a digital mural that creates a ‘living document’ of what our community has done during quarantine, while simultaneously fundraising to help local businesses,” Bailey said. “We are living in a historic time right now, and we want this mural to be a beautiful tapestry that remembers what our community was like during this time.”

Through ArtSprouts, Bailey hopes to both inspire others and herself, and to help underdeveloped art communities. Bailey is currently looking for student artists in the community to submit artworks. 

“Right now, ArtSprouts is just a way for student artists to connect with one another,” Bailey said. “I haven’t made any sales yet, but I am trying to amass more artwork and artists willing to sell so I can bring them to businesses interested in buying. My current goal is to get as many artists as possible into ArtSprouts so I can make a greater impact when I do meet with interested buyers.”

ArtSprouts has allowed Bailey to grow as an artist herself. She feels that it is important for artists to work together and broaden their exposure and grow from there, and her peers agree. 

“I have been taking drawing at school since freshman year and I’ve seen how hard artists work to construct and create their pieces,” junior Maya Amit said. “This is why I appreciate an online art gallery because it allows these artists to get the recognition they deserve! When we submit our artworks it definitely feels like we’re strengthening our community through our appreciation for each other’s work which is why I wanted to contribute by submitting some of my pieces.”

Bailey values being able to look at her peers’ work, as it helps inspire her and try new art styles.

“As an artist myself, I know how much drawing inspiration from fellow artists can improve my own art,” Bailey said. “I hope that ArtSprouts can be a platform the young artists like myself can use to connect with one another.”

For more information on ArtSprouts, visit https://www.artsproutsgallery.org/.