“As a kid, if all you did all day in school was stare down a computer screen, where would tomorrow’s writers, photographers and musicians come from?” inquired Frames USA and Art Gallery owner Adam Brand during a breakfast tea party he held at his business to bring awareness to cuts in the arts programs at public schools.
Miss Miami, Melissa Ramirez, joined Mr. Brand advocating a “Keep the Arts Alive in Miami Dade Public Schools” petition drive to bring awareness to the anticipated losses in arts funding.
Ms. Ramirez credits her access to art, dance, theatre and music in school as instrumental in shaping her life today. “To be a pageant winner, you need lots of creativity and dynamics,” she said. “If it was not for the arts classes I had, I might not have dreamed of becoming Miss Miami and furthering my quest to become a national pageant winner.”
Ladies of all ages gathered outside Frames USA in the Bird Ludlum Shopping Center at decorative tables with balloons and mini cupcakes. Guests had the opportunity to talk to Miss Miami one on one and a professional screen backdrop was available for princesses of all ages to get their photo taken alongside Miss Miami.
According to Mr. Brand, the event was a great success. Kids made colorful drawings depicting their own dreams to accompany the more than 100 petition signatures gathered at the breakfast and sent to the Miami-Dade County School Board, Florida Department of Education and local government offices. Mr. Brand was pleased to receive donations from supportive area businesses that helped make the event possible, including breakfast provided by Raffie’s Restaurant, located next door to Frames USA.
“It was a special day because Melissa was able to share her success with the kids and emphasize the important role arts programs played in her life as inspiration,” said Mr. Brand. “I believe there were lots of moms out there who left with a greater awareness about the under-funding of arts programs in Miami schools.”
Tea party guests also took home commemorative T-shirts, superstar sunglasses and a personalized framed photo taken with Miss Miami, complimentary of Frames USA and Art Gallery.
Frames USA and Art Gallery is located at 6833 SW 40 Street in the Bird Ludlam Shopping Center. For more information, call 305-666-3355 or visit www.framesusamiami.com
