Art can change demeanors. Art can spark imaginations. Art can develop personalities.

Elizabeth Roberts is using art to inspire others, in very much the same way that it has inspired her.

Elizabeth is a 17-year-old junior at Warwick High School, an artist and a philanthropist. She is the founder of Inspiring Brushstrokes, a licensed local nonprofit that distributes art supplies to children in the Warwick School District between the ages of 3 and 13.

"I really hope that (children) will feel appreciated and seen," said Elizabeth. "Art supplies are expensive, so they're not usually a priority. I want (the children) to feel like they can do anything. I want them to get a sense of what it's like to be artistic and playful."

"My favorite part is helping kids who were like me," continued Elizabeth, noting that she experienced poverty as a child. "I want to make sure (other kids) don't feel like I did. When I fill these boxes, it brings me to tears. It makes me so happy."

Elizabeth's plan for Inspiring Brushstrokes is to send out new or unused art supplies - paints, crayons, markers, canvases, coloring pages - to underprivileged local kids through the Lititz Warwick Community Chest's food distribution system. She's hoping to distribute enough boxes for 180 children four times a year, beginning in late April or early May.

"When people think of art, they think of canvases and painting," said Elizabeth. "Art is all around us. Our clothing is a form of expression. You can dress how you feel. Art in society is a way of expression. Society can be tough on everyone."

Elizabeth has already begun to execute the nonprofit's mission by handing out basic art supplies at local events like education fairs, church functions and Stormers' baseball games.

"We are delivering boxes of art supplies to families with kids who live below the poverty line," said Elizabeth. "A lot of them don't have enough money, and their wants can be at the bottom of the priority list. It's a way to take their lives into a creative way of thinking, a positive way of thinking. Those things can create joy. It's so important to have a creative outlet. You need a sense of joy in your life."

Inspiring Brushstrokes is overseen by an advisory board made up of family members and friends, and Elizabeth is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the nonprofit, including packaging the art supplies in boxes, collaborating with Lititz Warwick Community Chest and collecting the art supplies through donation drives at schools and churches and through individual donations. Inspiring Brushstrokes is also considering applying for financial grants.

"I want people to understand that not everyone has access to things," said Elizabeth. "We should be grateful to have a roof over our heads. A lot of people can go to the store and buy art supplies. But that's not the case for everyone. We want to help people become as fortunate as we are."

Before officially becoming a licensed nonprofit in March of this year, Elizabeth started solidifying ideas and raising funds for it in the summer of 2024. But the inspiration for Inspiring Brushstrokes can be traced to a childhood that was profoundly influenced by art.

"When I was younger, my parents split," said Elizabeth. "My mom always made sure I had a creative outlet. I continued with art because she always inspired me to be creative. At one point I thought, 'What if I used my experience to help others?' I know what a lot of people are going through."

"I am an artist," continued Elizabeth. "I've always loved art. When I got to high school, I became comfortable calling myself an artist. My favorite art is graphite drawings of still life. I also dabble in paintings and jewelry making."

For additional information, go to http://www.inspiringbrushstrokes.org.