About Our Team

I'm Anni Dai, currently a senior in high school. Art is something that I started learning when I was really young, and for me, it's grown up alongside myself and has developed into something much more special than putting shapes and color onto paper. Art is a medium for me to express myself and my creativity, but beyond that, art sends a message, one that connects cultures and creates community. There are many forms of art, and face painting happens to be one that is easily accessible and beloved by children. From representing my own community at a Chinese New Year festival, which is where Smiles in Color started its journey, to holding lessons for people of all backgrounds, I've seen what this form of art can do for families and how much happiness it can bring them. I want to use our influence in this community to inspire and teach more people to follow in our footsteps and to bring this joy to everyone, one face paint at a time.

  Hello, I am Daniel Van Pelt. I am in the 11th grade. For a majority of my life, I have learned and loved acrylic and oil painting. I also have a deep interest in science. I am now assuming a role as a director and tech manager for Smile for Color. I am looking forward to helping out this cause, and making connections to new people. I believe the joy we bring to kids is priceless, and it brings me joy as well. I have worked in leadership roles, through scouting and managing other activities. By developing and managing this website, I want to spread our organization wide, and bring happiness to as many children as I can. 

    Hello everyone! My name is Zuer, and I am currently a freshman in High School. I am so honored and delighted to take on the role as an assistant to Smiles In Color! I love art, music, animals, and nature. It is important to me to often stop, look around, and become attuned to my surroundings every now and then. When I look at the world around me, I see all its beauty and glory. Its as if the landscapes were all a huge, awesome, perfectly imperfect painting. It is also so astonishing how art can capture the beauty of these moments in the single stroke of a brush. Something wonderful art can do is that it transcends and also connects different cultures, ages, and all understanding. You go from knowing absolutely nothing about a person to knowing their favorite animal, colors, or maybe a small part of their life. These stories we hear go with us through life, and help shape us into who we are. My perspectives have been broadened so much as I sit down to actually listen to someone, eye to eye. The anticipation of waiting to see their face paint shines in their eyes, and the joy they express when they finally see their reflection is absolutely priceless. I am so grateful to be able to be a part of Smiles in Color, and I will work with others to expand Smiles in Color. I understand that it is my duty to take more initiative and responsibility for our cause. It is also my hope to be able to spread our art and our love of art to unreached communities, and to also support younger members! Thank you! 

  My name is Irene Cao, I'm 19years old and i have a deep love for arts of many hobbies, from painting, sculpting, miniatures and many more, i strive to continue learning more forms of genuine art as i enjoy creating new things from the stories in my kind. i went to Milwaukee institute of art and design for a year as i wanted to continue to learn, but ive come to realize that it doesnt teach me the many things that i would be able to learn on my own through people. Though i tend to keep to myself, i am also trying my best on learning to become social, as I want to teach others the many things i learned through the years.

 My name is Dharanishree Dwarakanath, and I’m 15 years old. I'm a creative person with a passion for exploring various hobbies. Whether it’s painting, crocheting, or drawing, I love working through challenges I face while learning through them. Dancing also brings me joy, allowing me to express myself through movement. I’m constantly learning and discovering new things, always eager to expand my knowledge. When I’m not engaged in creative activities, you’ll find me finding inspiration or shopping for new clothes or materials. My diverse interests help me reach and connect with others through art.

  I am Melanie He, and I’m in 11th grade. Over nine years of studying art, I've come to appreciate the things I learn from each experience —whether I'm perfecting a brushstroke, racing on the track, or crafting arguments in debate. But nothing has taught me to embrace the joy of imperfection quite like face painting: the glitter spills, the vibrant colors, and the laughter it sparks. Being part of Smiles in Color allows me to share my passion and make a positive impact on my community, one smile (and face) at a time!

 Hi! I am Ching Yin Cheng; I'm 15 years old and currently in 9th grade. I've been learning art for over five years now. I enjoy painting and creating all kinds of art.  Making art is one of my favorite hobbies because it brings me happiness and joy. Through " Smile in Color," I've seen so many smiles and laughter, and I hope I can bring that same happiness to others through this organization.  That's why I decided to be a part of "Smile in Color"!

  My name is Alice, I am 15 years old and in ninth grade. I spend a lot of my time listening to audiobooks and dancing, or drawing during school when I need some free time or a break. I often doodle in my notebooks. I also love dancing, I’ve been dancing for around two years, but did figure skating before, I really enjoy all forms of art. I have a older brother and a dog named butter. I’ve even dedicated some of my paintings to him. When I am face painting, I feel pure joy because I know I am brightening someone’s day and making someone else happy by the art I do. Face painting also allows me to talk to other people and let me learn a lot of skills such as patience and kindness. Face painting makes me happy and others too, and that’s why I do it.

 I am Angelina Sun ,I started art 7 years ago when I was in kindergarten. Over the years I’ve learned to love art. I’ve met so many new and amazing people in art and it’s been so fun. We face paint in all sorts of activities and it’s the best. Face painting on people is so much different than painting on a canvas. It opens a door to let me join among people in different culture background. Seeing the smiles on kids and adults really makes my day. 

My name is Kevin Li, and I am in the 10th grade. I am interested in becoming a director for the Smiles in Color organization because of my desire for leadership and my passion for art. I have always been interested in art since I was very young, and I have cultivated that interest by attending classes and competing in contests. Now, as a high schooler, I feel that I should help my community with my skills by assuming a leadership role. So far, I haven’t had any substantial experience in leadership, nor do I have much volunteering hours. But I think that this would be a great opportunity for me to practice some essential skills and for me to help other people. 

 My name is Avni Kaarthick ,I've been learning art for the past 7 years. Creating art helps me express my creativity and emotions in many ways. Other than art, I love talking to new people, because it helps me learn new perspectives and ideas. I'm also fascinated by finance, as it gives me a look into how the world works.  Other than my artistic and academic interests, I love playing volleyball, which keeps me active and teaches me the importance of teamwork. Being part of Smiles in Color allows me to combine all of my interests into one, so that I can make a difference for many kids and for this organization  

 I’m Sally Huang , I love painting, capturing moments on my camera, and playing my violin. I’m always trying to improve my talents by constantly practicing. While I’m painting or doing homework, I like have music or an audiobook in the background. I’m interested in thought provoking artworks, music made by indie artists, incredible makeup/face painting looks, and cats. Whether it’s planning events or handling logistics, I enjoy being part of the team and helping everything run smoothly.

 I am Junnan Liu. I am a 9th-grade student—soon to be entering 10th grade—and I am both delighted and honored to have joined the close-knit and supportive Smiles in Color team right from its inception. I have grown tremendously since those early days. I went from being hesitant to even touch another person's face to now confidently engaging with people of all ages, races, and genders, creating art upon each unique face. Through several years of participating in community service activities alongside my team, I have not only honed my face-painting skills but also strengthened my abilities in teamwork and collaboration. I hope that, in the future, my team and I can participate in even more community outreach initiatives to bring joy to the lives of many more children.
Outside of my academic studies, I am a member of my school's marching band, where I play the snare drum. In my spare time, I enjoy playing the piano, practicing street dance and tap dance, photography, and website design, Occasionally, I also train in martial arts under my father's guidance.
I am delighted to have the opportunity to connect with you here, and I hope that one day, I will have the pleasure of personally giving you a face-painting design that you will love.
 

    I'm Sophia Jin and I'm a 10th grader at Troy High School. A lot of my interests have always been art related, whether it's drawing, painting, crocheting, or other art forms. When I'm not doing art, I like to bake. I face paint because I love seeing people's face light up because of art. Same with my piano, making music also can bring people happiness. It's makes me happy that people are so excited over something | drew. I'm excited to be apart of this team and work with everyone in the future! 

    My name is Ken, and I am 15 years old and currently in ninth grade at Cranbrook Schools.

I have a deep passion for the arts. Drawing, painting, and 3D modeling are some of my favorite creative hobbies, and I often spend my free time sketching in my notebooks. I also play the violin, enjoy playing traditional Chinese drums, and participate in lion dance performances. Through these activities, I have learned not only artistic skills but also discipline, teamwork, and confidence in performing before an audience.

What I love most about art is its ability to bring people together. Art creates communities where people can share ideas, cultures, and emotions. In addition to the arts, I am passionate about robotics and engineering. I enjoy designing, building, and competing with robots as part of a team.

Through both the arts and robotics, I have learned that creativity, dedication, and teamwork are essential for growth and success. I enjoy exploring both fields because they allow me to continuously learn, create, and contribute to my community.

    Hello, my name is Arya Jing and I am in the 7th grade. Ever since I was little, I have always loved art. From drawing in my picture books to making oil paintings. I am a percussionist, a basketball player, a swimmer and obviously an artist. When I started face painting, I was so scared that kids would hate the face paintings I did. But every time I finished, there would be a smile on the kids face after looking into the mirror. I continued practicing my face painting skills and even painting on my brother who would run away in the middle.

I’m super excited to be a director for Smiles In Color and hope to bring more smiles on kids faces at each event!