Brush n Bloom at Sunnyvale Public Library

Shubhada Zunjarwad
Jan 18
3 min read

A Heart‑Warming Celebration of Art, Community & Connection

January 10th will forever remain a milestone in the ANFS journey—a day when creativity, community, and pure joy filled the Sunnyvale Public Library with color, laughter, and the magic of shared art.

🌸 A Full House… and Full Hearts

When the library team first shared that we had 25 confirmed registrations and 49 kids on the waitlist, I knew this event was going to be special. Together with the wonderful library staff—Shana and Christina—we worked carefully to maintain a maximum capacity of 40 participants.

And then it happened.

All 40 kids showed up. Many came with their parents. And Christina had to place a sign at the entrance: "Event is Full.”

It was surreal. It was humbling. And it was the perfect beginning to a truly unforgettable afternoon.

🎨 A 90-Minute Creative Adventure

From 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM, the room buzzed with excitement as kids immersed themselves in three thoughtfully curated activities:

1. Painting a Rose on a 12x12 Canvas

To make the experience beginner‑friendly and joyful, I pre‑sketched all 40 canvases—each rose petal numbered from 1 to 11. Yes, it took time. Yes, it was absolutely worth it.

The kids followed along with confidence, and to elevate their artwork, I had prepared golden glitter paper strips so they could frame their masterpiece at the end.

2. Creating a Personalized Fridge Magnet

Each child received a blank 2x2 magnetic canvas tucked inside a goodie bag, along with:

Glittery gems
Glue
A mini sketch‑pen set

Watching them design their tiny magnets with such pride was delightful.

3. Writing a Positive Affirmation

Every participant received a flower‑shaped, pre‑cut colored paper to write a meaningful affirmation. I chose the message:

“We inspire each other and make a positive impact.”

The room felt brighter as kids decorated their affirmation flowers with doodles, colors, and their own spark.

🌟 The Power of Young Volunteers

One of the most beautiful parts of this event was witnessing the leadership, empathy, and teamwork of our ANFS kid volunteers:

Aakash, Aditya, Rana, Sara, Ira, Ira, Abhira, Nithya, Abir, and Sohum

These super‑efficient young artists guided participants with patience and kindness.Some kids were nervous or unsure how to begin, and our volunteers gently reminded them of the affirmations we practice at ANFS:

There is no right or wrong in art.
There are no mistakes… only new ideas.

Their words comforted the participants and created a safe, encouraging environment.

Supporting them were our dedicated adult volunteers:

Hema, Prajakta, Divya, Trupti, and Shantanu

Every single volunteer played a crucial role in making the event seamless and joyful.

And of course, the cherry on top—Rana’s opening speech. Her warm, confident words instantly relaxed the young participants and set the tone for a beautiful session.

💗 A Room Filled with Pink, Smiles, and Magic

By the end of the event, the hall was glowing with shades of pink, shimmering canvases, and the proud smiles of 40 young artists. Volunteers kept circulating with extra colors, encouragement, and high‑fives.

I felt deeply moved watching the glowing eyes, the laughter, the tiny hands painting with so much focus and joy. Those 90 minutes were truly spectacular.