Bright colors. Beautiful faces. Vast landscapes.  Predators. Cartoon and movie characters. Wild animals and plants of all kind.  How you say? All created from incredible imaginations!

Art is an open and free mind at work. Art is another world on a canvas. One of Lexington’s most talented artists thinks this way: Dr. Java Joshi.  Dr. Joshi has shared this love for art directly with her students, and it was clearly demonstrated at their art show, held at the Academy of Creative Arts, in Burlington, MA, on Sunday June 22, 2014.  “I encourage you to work hard and follow your dreams. I am so proud of you all!”, Joshi said to her students after the art show.  

The show was greeted by visitor “oohs” and “aahs”, marveling at the students’ artwork. Many were impressed at the imaginative creations of many young artists! The visitors walked around and asked specific questions to every artist about their drawings. Each response was delivered with clarity of mind.

The artwork ranged from painting, sketching, charcoal drawings, and pastels, all presented by students aged 4 ½ to 14 years old. Academy dance department students also dedicated a dance performance to the 55 little artists that exhibited over 300 pieces of art.

“I like getting to draw my own things without having to copy or do the same creation as someone else.”,  8 year old Sawaani Joshi and 10 year old Nishika Karody agreed.”I like drawing nature, mostly involving water and sometimes animals. I also like drawing randomly from my imagination.”, 14 year old Sahana Sreeprakash said.  

The artists were also recognized for their successes at art competitions as well.  Chief Guest Judith Cooper recognized several students for their recent noteworthy accomplishments.  Isha Khanzode won first prize in an Acton Charity Event. She also won an honorable mention for the IndiArt competition, with her work now currently on display in the Nehru Center in India.  Rayna Parikh was a Google Doodle 2014 top 250 finalist, and awarded merit for her imagination and creativity. She also won second prize for the IndiArt competition. Naveen Kothandaraman won first prize in the Massachusetts Educational Financial Authority competition, asking artists to depict what they wanted to be when they grow up. Naveen wonderfully illustrated himself as a wildlife photographer.  Disha Sankholkar won the Massachusetts state bookmark contents, and was awarded a citation by State senators at the Statehouse. Finally, Pooja Kumaravel won first prize in the IndiArt contest – a special win given her first time participating in any such competition.

In addition to the art show, Dr. Joshi and her husband Hetal Joshi announced the additional programs that would be added to the Academy of Creative Arts.  The classes were wide and varied: Bollywood dancing classes by Dipal Anand, yoga & meditation by Dhanashree, Ram & Vinita partnering with the Art of Living Foundation, photography classes by Shiv Verma, Indian classical Kathak dancing by Mona Mitra, Punjabi Bhangra dancing by Rohit from Boston Bhangra, public speaking courses by Paresh Motiwala, arts and crafts by Richa Doshi and Viveka Devadas, henna/mehndi classes by Manisha Trivedi, jewelry design  workshops by Irit Hamami, make-up and hair design by Zoya Naseer, Alina Dar and many more!  

The event was well attended by over 380 visitors. One of the senior community leader and chief guest Puran Dang said – “I have never witnessed so much kids art in one place in my life – This is the most colorful and vibrant art I have ever seen”

Academy and India New England also announced and shared details of their media partnership during the occasion. Upendra Mishra and Manju Sheth shared some exciting announcements with the Academy parents and encouraged all the little artists.

Java was particular about thanking all the students and parent volunteers for their outstanding support and help. Java & Hetal said, the event would not have been possible without unconditional love, support and help from Alok Bhaskar, Malini Varadrajan, Ajay Jaisingh, Sneh Jaisingh, Jharna Madan, Pratibha Krishnamurty, Preetesh Srivastava, Rahul Joshi, Vivekva Devadas, Richa Doshi, Krunal Sheth, Purbi Rana, Nilesh Rana, Meena Kothandaraman and Ritu Agarwal.

Without the hard work and dedication of the Joshi family, the students would not have had the platform to share their artistic talents. Joshi’s vision of creating a one-stop shop for all the parents looking for creative and performing arts under one roof seems very much achievable. The hard work put in by teachers and artists made the art show a true success.

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