This holiday season, Pencils of Promise (PoP), a nonprofit whose mission is to build schools in the developing world, is launching their Made with Pencils campaign. The Made with Pencils campaign allows the world’s leading cultural curators and artistic minds to produce original works made from pencils that will be auctioned off to build new schools.
Beginning November 30, these one-of-a-kind creations will be auctioned on the Pencils of Promise website, so supporters can not only purchase an expression of iconic inspiration, but also play an active role in producing schools in the developing world. All funds raised go directly to building schools and educating children around the world.
Participants include leaders across all industries. In the entertainment sector Mariah Carey, Coldplay, Hugh Jackman, Lil’ John, Russell Simmons, Olivia Wilde, Lea Michele and Sophia Bush have all created original works. Sports superstars Shaquille O'Neal, David Freese and Steve Nash have contributed. Fashion gurus and designers Cynthia Rowley, Jonathan Adler and Simon Doonan are participating, as are artists Joe Fenton, Jon Burgerman and Stephen Wiltshire. Other noteworthy individuals include television journalist Katie Couric and Chelsea Clinton. Many additional prominent actors, performers and creators are confirmed to participate and will be announced in the coming weeks.
“I started by giving one child just one pencil years ago, and now we’re going to demonstrate that full schools can be built with nothing more than graphite and wood,” said Adam Braun, founder of Pencils of Promise. “Made with Pencils is a movement of the world’s greatest artists and influencers – each leveraging their unique genius and connection to where their education began to now build schools for children without access to that very same education.”
The goal of this artistic and philanthropic initiative is to demonstrate that simple pencils and simple actions can transform the world.
For more information on Made with Pencils, and Pencils of Promise, and to check out works of art made by your favorite cultural icons, click here
