Abrakadoodle Franchise Owners Dawna & Al Kelly

This May Franchise Owners Dawna and Al Kelly of Abrakadoodle Wayne County, MI, once again brought their annual student Art Show to their local community in the Detroit, MI area. Abrakadoodle partners with local schools by bringing its standards-based art education program to schools as part of their school day. The Art Show marked the twelfth anniversary of the much-awaited event, which has been graciously hosted over the past several years at the Voyageur Academy. Voyageur Academy, a Charter School dedicated to preparing students for college and as future community leaders, is a long-standing partner school of Abrakadoodle.

“The inspiration behind the founding of the Art Show,” said Dawna, “began with a desire to celebrate the hard work of our Abrakadoodle teachers and their students, as well as a way to recognize the commitment of the schools that support arts education.”

As Abrakadoodle’s network of partner schools grew, the Art Show, initially held at a community-based location, moved to Voyageur Academy.  This worked to accommodate the growing size of the exhibition and to extend the celebration into the community. What started with about 100 student works of art, this year featured about 700 pieces. The artwork was selected by Abrakadoodle teachers, representing a number of Abrakadoodle partner schools from Metro Detroit and its suburbs. Student artwork from the Abrakadoodle Art Studio for Kids was also included. Each participating student received a certificate and proudly showed off their art to family and friends. Abrakadoodle sees this as a great opportunity to extend the learning into the home.

Putting the Abrakadoodle Art Show together each year is a labor of love and reflects what is at the core of Abrakadoodle Wayne County’s success. Dawna further commented, “As business owners in the Detroit area, my husband Al and I see the running of the Abrakadoodle programs, and the hosting of our annual Art Show, as vehicles for working within our shared passion for education. One of Al’s major objectives is to serve as a mentor to students, which can include reading to younger students, and advising older students on academic and social pursuits. In business for over 20 years, the Kelly’s seem to have found something very precious, a way of combining a business model with their passion for serving their community. 

The relationships that have been built over the years with Abrakadoodle partner schools, community leaders and thousands of students and their families is greatly valued and extends beyond art classes. Abrakadoodle has brought diverse sections of the Metro Detroit community together through the art show which is unprecedented. Dawna said it best by sharing, “What a great way to bring joy to our community. We have the honor of touching so many people in so many ways through creative art education that will help shape future student success.”

Learn more about Abrakadoodle Wayne County, MI by visiting https://www.abrakadoodle.com/mi-wayne-county/, calling 734-495-0900 or by emailing Dawna and Al Kelly at dkelly@abrakadoodle.com / akelly@abrakadoodle.com