Meet Basil

Hello! My name is Basil! 

I’m a 17 year old Venezuelan artist and I usually like to express myself through visual art, writing screenplays, theatre, and music! I came to the states at a very young age. I didn’t know the language, I didn’t know the culture, and the only way I knew how to communicate or express myself was through art. Because of this, one of my mom’s friends saw my potential and recommended Marwen. 

Early on, I kept myself in the fashion studio for felt and sewing classes. My grandma was a seamstress and I wanted to keep parts of her with me. When covid finally ended, I took more painting and animation classes to explore more of my visual art interests and enrolled in Design to Print. Through Design to Print, I became more social, confident, and more open as a person. After the program, I participated in internships at Marwen and even went to an artist residency in Wisconsin this past June.

Marwen has always felt like a welcoming home to me. It wasn’t just about the art, it was about the connections I made, the encouragement I felt, and the self-growth I went through by being in a community rich with kindness and opportunities for young people. Marwen has led me to be the kind, strong, and hardworking person I am today.

Now as a senior in my last year at Marwen, I will truly miss this community when I go away for college. Marwen will always have a special place in my heart.

Lee and Sharon Oberlander, longtime friends of Marwen, have generously offered a $5,000 dollar-for-dollar matching challenge. Every gift made before 2026 will be matched 1:1, doubling your impact for young artists like Basil.