top of page
SIP N PAINT
Anchor 1

ABOUT CONNIE McKnight

Connie is a teacher at Broward County Public Schools/ Independent Artist/ Business Owner.

I have been drawing since I could hold a pencil. I was the student in school who got in trouble for doodling all over my assignments. I received my associates in Fine Art but was convinced that I needed to pursue my Bachelors in something that would give me job security. I majored in English and became a teacher. Through out my teaching career, which I love, something was missing. I taught middle school math and every English class that you can think of. I decorated my boards and walls elaborately. I did creative projects with the kids, but it was still not enough. I needed more art in my life!

After about 5 years of teaching I began making jewelry and greeting cards and attending craft shows. By 2012 I was painting and attending small art shows, filling the void which had been art. I slowly got more involved, doing more shows and finding a style as I developed my skill. In 2016 I started a non-profit that focused on giving back and providing artistic experiences to women and children in abusive situations. I moved from Northern Virginia to South Florida in 2017. I have participated in several community projects, art exhibits, and I have created opportunities doing workshops and painting parties. I continue to do work in the community although the recipients have changed slightly. My main focus since I have been in Florida is using art to decrease the achievement gap that high risk youths face. I have worked with The City of Fort Lauderdale Neighborhood Volunteer Office, Fort Lauderdale Action for Literacy, L.A. Lee YMCA, Art Serve, Mass District, Art N Soul, and Art Prevails Project.

I am currently a high school English teacher. I am a positive person that believes in living life to the fullest! I was diagnosed with Lupus in 2001. I believe that life is what we make it...so I live each day like it's my last! I have two beautiful daughters! I love to work out! Art is my outlet....my way of expressing myself and creating a platform for important topics! It is my hope to bring happiness and inspiration to many people through my art.  My non-profit, "Soulful Innovations," was created to provide an artistic experience for woman and children who are experiencing financial difficulty or abusive situations but I also offer the same opportunities for high risk youth, the homeless, and seniors.

People who overcome adversity are my inspiration. My art is a reflection of what I have experienced in life...through my eyes and through the stories of others. I am inspired by the beauty of nature! I am inspired by stories and images of true love! I am inspired by the students that I work with everyday! I create work based on social injustice and other current social and political topics.

 

have some fun creating art

Special Thanks to Gulfstream Brewery

Saturday, February 24th, 2024
2:00pm 6:00pm
Gulf Stream Brewing Co
1105 NE 13 St Fort Lauderdale, Fl 33304

May 13-qr-code-2.png

Benefiting 

Lending Hands.png

South Florida Lending Hands is a 501 c (3) non profit organization.

Our Missions includes the arts, community outreach, animal welfare and disaster relief

 

Art Movement

With this initiative, our goal is to promote great opportunities to emerging artists as well as those already established. With access to the right resources, people can become empowered by their own abilities and talents and gain the confidence to fulfill their potential while helping our communities

bottom of page