SUMMER ARTS for the Youth : The DORILL Initiative
Summer heat is at its peak and like Alice Cooper so delightfully sings it, “School’s Out for Summerrrr.” And that it is. The freedom from the classroom, test taking, essay writing and full on rule abiding. With that, The Dorill Initiative comes into play and offers parents, guardians, caretakers a little break from the locked in day to day whilst gifting a new artistic daily escape for the youth. The Dorill Initiative is a free program for kids which runs from:
July 10th, 2023 – August 11th, 2023
Monday – Friday 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
All Children ages 10-18 are welcome. To participate in this free program, yes, it is FREE; registration is encouraged. Please see HERE to sign up. This incredible program is partnered with Fashion Designer, Sheila Gray. Sheila will host a special class, Styled By You, which will take place on July 19th and July 20th where participants will learn how to design their own customizable fashion T-shirts with the new “Styled By YOU” fashion kit. This kit gifts the restorative experience of encompassing and feeling art by making their own wearable pieces whether on t-shirts, backpacks, jackets, pillows and so much more. The kit is designed to be inclusive and diverse, with a range of skin tones and clothing options to choose from. It’s a wonderful opportunity to enable children to unleash their inner creativity and express themselves through fashion, regardless of their color, background, gender or identity.
The Dorill Initiative first sparked with its Summer Social which took place on Friday June 23rd at the evening sunset hour of 6pm @ 175 Delancey Street, New York, NY. 100% of the proceeds benefited their FREE 5-Week Summer Arts Intensive starting on July 10th. The Dorill Initiative is a multidisciplinary arts organization committed to empowering youth to tell their stories and transform communities. The event kicked off with the Dorill DoERs in a youth fashion hosted by board member and Celebrity Fashion Designer Sheila Gray.
Sheila Gray is the founder & creator of Sheila Gray Collection (SGC). Initially, SGC was launched on the heels of a devastating and life-changing diagnosis. Following nearly four years of battling cancer and endometriosis, Sheila’s faith, focus, fellowship and determination enabled her to overcome these illnesses and inspired her to ensure each endeavor could serve as a means to give back. A portion of the proceeds from SGC are donated to a number of charitable organizations.
During the pandemic Sheila transformed art therapy and self-care into burgeoning fashion collections rooted in empowerment and celebrating our differences. SGC is a fashion brand centered on celebrating the unique beauty of every woman. Known for its eye-catching accessories and “Gray-Girl” tees, adorned with custom fashion figures and embellished with textured fabrics, SGC was launched in 2012. Sheila leveraged her deep fashion industry expertise, unique and sophisticated style and eye for creating and driving trends to secure awareness and engagement with the burgeoning brand. Since launch, SGC has grown into a successful fashion line donned by women and girls of all ages and seen on tastemakers, influencers and celebrities alike. A successful entrepreneur and fashion expert with over 15 years in the industry, Sheila has found her calling – driving diversity, inclusion and representation in fashion. Sheila’s partnered with celebrity designer Byron Lars and their INEARNEST™ brand, worked with designer Tracy Reese, dressed A-list celebrities, including Carrie Underwood, Angela Bassett, Jill Scott, Tichina Arnold, Geffri Hightower, Kim Director, Cassandra Freeman, EnVogue and and more.
“I am a staunch believer of self-love and self-worth being essential to fostering a love and value for humanity that is so often lacking in modern culture.” – Sheila Gray
About Sheila Gray
Fashion Designer | Entrepreneur | Celebrity Stylist | Philanthropist | Artist | Survivor
Awards Include: nomination for WIT (Women In Toys), Awarded Winner Best Designer Nets for Malaria, To learn more about Sheila Gray, visit [www.sheilagraycollections.com]