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When: Friday, October 28, 2011
Time: 9:00pm
Where: Revival Night Club, Toronto (783 College Street)
Campaign Goal: Raise funds to support UNICEF’s Educational Gifts of Magic Program

Come one come all to redseven’s first annual “When I Grow Up” Halloween party!  Join redseven and help us achieve our goal of raising funds to give as many Educational Gifts of Magic with UNICEF Canada as possible!

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Included in each ticket is: open bar, music (featuring DJ Rouge and DJ J-Lah), costume contest entry, prizes, candy, and great friends – all while supporting a fantastic cause that will give the gift of education to those less fortunate.

Come decked out as your childhood idol or aspiration at the age of 5!  As one of our close friends once admitted: “I wanted to be the fire TRUCK when I grew up. Not the fireman. The truck.”

Not able to attend the event? Please consider making a donation to the campaign.  Click here to make a tax receipt-eligible donation!

The redseven team is humbled by the contributions of its community, who helped exceed our fundraising goal and build not just 1 but 2 schools! We look forward to providing more updates as the construction continues and as the new school is built in Ecuador, as a result of the 2011 imagine a world campaign.

yours in youth education,

the redseven team

imagine a world

imagine a world would not be possible without the extremely generous donations from our featured artists.  To learn a little about each of our talented contributors, read below!  Rumour has it some of these artsy gems will be at the event on Friday eager to meet you!

Danielle Da Silva
Danielle Da Silva was born and raised in Toronto and is currently living in London, England. She is known for creating works of art through unique and positive shooting experiences.She is a professional photographer and aspiring videographer. She is also about to graduate from the London School of Economics with a masters in environment and international development and is also the founder of Photographers Without Borders Canada, an organization that helps charities and organizations accomplish youth-empowering projects worldwide, giving up-and-coming photographers opportunities to expose and sell their work and give back.
This is Danielle’s second consecutive year donating art to imagine a world.

Ajani Charles
Ajani Charles is a published digital photographer based in Toronto–the Canadian city famed for its cultural diversity and the creative dynamism of its artistic community. A graduate of the nationally acclaimed Claude Watson Arts Program, Ajani also apprenticed at the Toronto School of Art and the Art Gallery of Ontario. For Ajani the camera is a medium for self-expression and photography the ideal art form for capturing the ineffable beauty of people, objects, and landscapes.
This is Ajani’s second consecutive year donating art to imagine a world.

Amanda Coffey
Amanda is a 25-year-old Toronto-based photographer who has a passion for teaching all things history. She guesses you could even call her a nerd!  Amanda has been taking photos since… forever and has been told she wears her heart on her sleeve.
This is Amanda’s second consecutive year donating art to imagine a world.

Lauren Shanahan
Lauren is a Toronto based artist and photographer, is well known for her bold, colourful figurative paintings.  Born in St. Catharines, Ontario, Lauren studied at both the University of Western Ontario and the Royal College of Art in London, England.  At the age of 5 she began painting, at the age of 10 she began winning awards for her paintings, at the age of 16 her art started appearing in local publications and wineries and since 2001, her work has been internationally exhibited in galleries & festivals as well as being actioned off to raise money for various charities. Lauren playfully pushes people to think through her use of colourful expression—figuratively or abstractly.  She finds inspiration in 50s and 60s pop culture, adversity, comics, and the unique qualities of everyone she meets.
This is Lauren’s second consecutive year donating art to imagine a world.

Bill Watterson
Graphic designer and illustrator, Bill Watterson, is a recent graduate of Conestoga College. His work is primarily print-based, yet he likes to dabble in web and motion graphics whenever possible. He is currently trying to break into the design world, and in doing so he brings fresh ideas and a positive attitude.

Tia Hughes
Tia Hughes, who is in her final year at Conestoga College for graphic design, has developed into a multi-disciplinary designer with a passion for patterns, colours, and layouts. Her main focus lies in print design and photography, and is constantly eager to experiment with both to their full extent. She is an enthusiastic and diligent designer who will be experimenting and pushing her limits for years to come.

Rachael Spiers
The artwork of Rachael Speirs depicts a world without rules, boundaries or limitations. Rachael typically works with scrap fabric and embroidery as a method of creating depth and texture to her pieces. Her pieces look like paintings from afar but there is something about them that quizzically and curiously draws the viewer in allowing exploration of the texture, materials and subject matter. All her pieces are framed behind glass, therefore limiting the viewer to fully be able to explore the piece through touch, this supports imagination and desire. As a self-taught artist she enjoys creating images where meanings shift depending on the viewer’s experience. She utilizes her past experience as a counselor to develop a body of work that is a therapeutic connection to folk lore. We are given a glimpse of a scene, without always knowing the ‘why’ or ‘how’ and where some things happen ‘just because’. Rachael is in her first year of showing her artwork and has participated in many shows across the GTA. Her work is valued in many private collections, is carried by Tangerine Gecko Gallery and has been covered by Inside Toronto and Bust Magazine.She is looking forward to her first solo show at the Gladstone Hotel. The opening reception is June 10th at 7pm.

Danielle Hession
Danielle’s artwork is an exploration of society’s relationship with treasured objects and personal memories. She reveres old photographs and found ephemera as time capsules and storehouses of information. Her work is also inspired by an ever-growing collection of found objects and imagery. From various moves to Colorado, California and New York, Danielle’s search for discarded imagery never ceased. There is always an intrigue in the lost story behind each found treasure. There is great satisfaction in recycling discarded items and giving them a new life while still imparting a sense of mystery and nostalgia.

Katrina Schaman
Katrina Schaman is an Canadian artist currently painting from her studio in Toronto, Ontario. Born in Kitchener in 1982, Katrina has always felt a great desire to create. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts Honours from Queen’s University in 2005. Katrina’s unique paintings celebrate the deep connection between abstract and real forms. She uses many complex layers in her search for the perfect compositions. www.katrinaschaman.com

“The theme of this year’s MBA Games was ‘Back to Basics’ signifying the need for businesses to learn from the recent past and return to business fundamentals”, says Lucy Di Pierdomenico, Rotman’s 2011 MBA Games Executive Director. “Supporting redseven’s educational initiative was symbolic of the fundamental role education has played in the lives of Rotman students and how important our education will be in shaping the future of business. We hope that one day all children globally will have access to these same opportunities”.

All of the money raised by Rotman will be donated to redseven’s Free the Children initiative and will contribute to the latrines and supplies required to operate the school in Lai Gow, India.

Thank you Rotman for helping to further the cause for youth education globally!

The Team
Top Row (L to R): Eric Tribe, Stuart Watts, Jay Hamilton, Michael Bodsworth, Peter Hayward
Middle Row (L to R): James Sanders, Jenna Stal, Sarah Tilly, Josh LeBrun, Leanne Bowden, Dave Nugent, Stan Rodos
Bottom Row (L to R): Foujan Ziadlou, Taryn Lipschitz, Sabrina Sdao

We’re sad the following people couldn’t make it: Lisa Kendrick, Chris Reynolds, Amber Kanwar

Why did you start redseven?

I started redseven because education has played a monumental role in my life, giving me opportunities to succeed I never thought possible both through formal education and athletics primarily. I want to afford young children globally the ability to experience success the same way I’ve been able to both in the classroom and out. I want to help foster the necessary skills for tomorrow’s leaders today.

When you’re not volunteering with redseven, what do you do with your time?

I work for RBC Dominion Securities as an Investment Advisor. Specifically, I work with charities and high net worth families to construct and implement investment strategies to achieve their objectives.

What do you do for the redseven team?

My capacity within the organization is to liaise with various corporate partners who share our values and form long term partnerships that are mutually beneficial.

Who is your favourite teacher? Why?

I had some great teachers through primary and secondary school. However, nothing compares to the experience I had with Colleen Sharen, a business professor at the University of Western Ontario. She was the first person who truly challenged me both in and out of the classroom, allowing me to grow as a person. Her leadership has taught me some important lessons that I’ve been able to take into my career and would like nothing more then to pass on her words of wisdom to other young aspiring entrepreneurs (children).

What’s your favourite YouTube video?

Aries Spears Imitates DMX, Snoop Dogg, LL Cool J & Jay Z

Why did you join redseven?

I believe that the universal right to an education is crucial to a better world and have a passion for working with motivated and philanthropic teams.I believe that if all children globally have the right to education, they will have the ability to foster productive communities and create peaceful nations.  I think it is irresponsible and unfair that some children do not have the right to education and know that young Canadians have the talent and know-how to turn this global hardship into an opportunity for change.

When you’re not volunteering with redseven, what do you do with your time?

I am currently pursuing an MBA at the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto.

What do you do for the redseven team?

Formerly the Director of Engagement, I now sit on the redseven board.

Who is your favourite teacher and why?

The best teacher I have ever had is my mom. She always emphasized the value of treating people with kindness and respect – the most important life lesson.

What is your favourite YouTube video?

President Obama’s Address to Students

Why did you join redseven?

I first became involved with redseven to help organize a charity event. It was not until after meeting many of the redseven directors that I saw how passionate they were about youth education that I, too, began to feel compelled by the cause. After seeing the statistics in developing countries’ education levels, I realized how serious the problem was. It was the global concern of youth education and my fellow redseven colleagues’ commitment and values that made me want to take part in this charitable foundation.

When you’re not volunteering with redseven, what do you do with your time?

I work in International Finance at Scotiabank on a customer profitability Management Information System. My role is to analyse the International Bank’s expenses and determine how to properly allocate them down to the customer/product level. Outside of my role at Scotiabank, I am also involved in an employee resource group at the bank focused on community involvement, volunteering opportunities, and educating young professionals working for Scotiabank.

What do you do for the redseven team?

I am an Event Coordinator, having successfully worked on our inaugural Imagine a World event, which raised more than $12,000 to build a school in India with Free The Children. In the near future I am looking forward to working alongside Free The Children and other members of the redseven team and going to India to build the school.

Who is your favourite teacher and why?

Without a doubt my favourite teacher was Mr. Berringer – Grade 13 Physics. He made the class so interesting and entertaining through various demonstrations rather than just straight from the textbook lecturing – which many of my teachers had fallen prey to. It was his passion towards teaching that made me decide to major in engineering at university.

What’s your favourite YouTube video?

The Evolution of Dance