About Gigi’s Creative Corner

Gigi’s Creative Corner is Daybreak Arts’ new youth arts programming initiative, created in loving memory of artist Gwendolyn “Gigi” Johnson, who passed away in February 2025. Gwen was a beloved member of the Daybreak Arts Artist Collective community, and one of her greatest joys was sharing her love of art with young people—encouraging creativity, confidence, and self-expression wherever she went.

A woman with glasses and dreadlocks sewing colorful beads while three children, two girls and one boy, sit at a table with bead-making supplies at a craft event.

Gigi’s Creative Corner expands Daybreak Arts’ community-based art model to youth by bringing accessible art programming directly into existing nonprofit spaces that serve young people. Through partnerships with schools and community organizations, Gigi’s Creative Corner provides hands-on art workshops, sustained creative opportunities, and welcoming environments where youth can explore their artistic voice, build relationships, and develop a sense of belonging

Children and adults at a craft table making jewelry with beads, string, and colorful craft supplies at an indoor event.

Rather than requiring families or youth to seek out programming elsewhere, Gigi’s Creative Corner meets young people where they already are—integrating art into afterschool programs, school-based clubs, and summer experiences. Through this programming, youth gain confidence, collaboration skills, and exposure to multiple artistic techniques while forming meaningful friendships with peers who share their artistic interests. This mirrors how Daybreak Arts provides resources and brings together adults with shared artistic passions to find community through our Artist Collective program.

Gigi’s Creative Corner also provides paid, meaningful teaching opportunities to Daybreak Artists who have experienced systemic barriers such as housing instability and economic hardship—helping to strengthen their professional skills, economic stability, and artistic leadership.

A black-and-white cartoon-style illustration of a detailed city skyline with various tall buildings and a river in the foreground, with a bridge connecting parts of the city.

Gigi’s Creative Corner will launch with our community partner:

Daybreak Arts is supporting the creation of a new Art Club at Shwab Elementary in partnership with PENCIL that will offer students a consistent space to learn new art forms, connect with their peers, and build confidence through art. Shwab Elementary is located on Dickerson Pike less than half a mile from Daybreak Arts. See photos and read more here about our Spring 2026 Shwab Art Club pilot semester.

A defining feature of Gigi’s Creative Corner program is the intergenerational relationships formed between students and Daybreak teaching artists—professional adult and senior artists who bring lived experience, resilience, and creative leadership into the classroom. By working closely with older artists, students are exposed to positive role models who demonstrate perseverance, problem-solving, and nontraditional pathways to success. These relationships foster mutual learning, trust, and inspiration, allowing students to feel seen and supported while Daybreak artists find purpose, connection, and reinforcement of their professional identities.

Through Gigi’s Creative Corner, Daybreak Arts honors Gwendolyn “Gigi” Johnson’s legacy by nurturing the next generation of artists—ensuring that young people have access to creative tools, supportive mentors, and artistic community, just as Gigi believed they should.

**Interested in bringing Gigi’s Creative Corner to your school or nonprofit?**

Interested in bringing Gigi’s Creative Corner to your school or nonprofit? Gigi’s Creative Corner delivers hands-on youth art programming led by professional Daybreak teaching artists, integrating creative workshops into afterschool programs, school-based clubs, and summer experiences. Our program builds confidence, artistic skills, and peer connection while expanding access to high-quality arts education. To explore a partnership, contact our Program Engagement Director, Ashley, at ashley@daybreakarts.org.

Volunteer with Gigi’s Creative Corner

Daybreak Arts is seeking enthusiastic and creative volunteers to support our brand new youth art program, Gigi’s Creative Corner. Volunteers will assist Daybreak Artists teaching youth during workshops and helping lead creative activities.

Learn more about Volunteering with youth

Kids sitting on the grass in a park, painting and drawing nature scenes with art supplies.

Child wearing a light blue sports jersey with dark blue and black geometric patterns on the back, standing in front of a large wall covered with colorful drawings and messages. The wall features various scribbles, doodles, and handwritten notes in different colors, with some drawings including hearts and faces. The child is focused on the artwork, with their right hand raised and touching their chin.

Hands drawing and coloring a cheerful girl with blonde hair, blue eyes, and a yellow shirt, using colored markers on paper. Art supplies like markers and crayons are scattered around.

A smiling woman with gray hair styled in two buns, wearing glasses and a purple dress, sitting in front of colorful artwork displayed on walls and tables at an art exhibition.

“I’ve been passionate about art since I was young. When I would babysit my grandchildren they would say to me “I want to do art and jewelry.” I would always have beads, art, crayons, because I always feel like a child can speak through their art.

Even when I was a child, I always knew that kids needed a voice for themselves. I learned I could give them a voice through art. I was able to let them know, “Hey, you can be anything you want to be.”

—Gwen “Gigi” Johnson,
Daybreak Artist (1960-2025)

Gwendolyn “Gigi” Johnson joined our Artist Collective in December 2014 and was homeless for 9 years before securing housing through Urban Housing Solutions in March 2017. Gwen passed away in February 2025. Watch this video to learn more about Gwen's journey to independence through art and creativity. Read more about Gwen’s Celebration of Art &. Life Memorial on our blog here.