Canvas for Our Climate

CleanAIRE NC is excited to announce Canvas for Our Climate, an inspiring new initiative made possible through UNC–Charlotte’s Levine Scholars program Civic Engagement funds. This project combines art, science, and environmental advocacy to inspire and empower high school students in Charlotte’s environmentally impacted areas.

Project Mission

Canvas for a Climate seeks to harness the creativity and ingenuity of students to address pressing climate issues through a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) lens. Partnering with the Charlotte Youth Climate Coalition (CYCC) and Northwest School of the Arts, this initiative will:

• Educate: Host a workshop for Northwest School of the Arts students to explore the connections between climate change, air quality, and their impact on Charlotte’s Historic West End Community.
• Empower: Provide students with art supplies and challenge them to create art pieces that propose creative solutions to climate change and highlight environment justice (EJ) stories.
• Inspire Action: Install two PurpleAir monitors at the school to enhance the Historic West End’s air sensor network, enabling students, teachers, and residents to actively monitor and address local air quality concerns.

Our Partners

This project brings together passionate organizations dedicated to fostering environmental awareness and advocacy:

• CleanAIRE NC: Providing leadership, resources, and educational support to the project.
• Charlotte Youth Climate Coalition (CYCC): A UNC-Charlotte Student Sustainability Organization committed to amplifying youth voices in the fight against climate change.
• Northwest School of the Arts: A vibrant community of talented young artists driven to make an impact through creative expression.
• The Levine Scholars Program: Providing funding and resources to bring the vision to life.

Our Team

Canvas for Our Climate is led by a group of dedicated UNC–Charlotte students working together to make a lasting impact:

• • Abby Cameron: Project Lead and Engagement Coordinator
  • Mia Jammal: Budget Manager
  • Krish Karri: Research Analyst and Educational Development Coordinator
  • Tori Teague: Marketing Specialist
  • Maylis Pickering: Arts Integration Specialist

CleanAIRE NC Staff Leads

Rafaella Vaca-Tricerri, Education Manager

Madison Fragnito, Partnerships Manager

Combining education, art, and science, Canvas for Our Climate aspires to empower the next generation of artists and environmental leaders, equipping them to drive meaningful change through creative expression.

Join Us!

Stay tuned for updates, and join us on April 9, 2025, to celebrate the creativity and dedication of Charlotte’s youth!