Shay shares insights into her impactful Gold Award project, an art exhibition held at the Overture Center for the Arts. The exhibit aimed to raise awareness about mental health among teenage girls in a positive light, showcasing the strength and creativity of young women artists from the Madison and Dane County area. Shay discusses her motivation to present mental health discussions more positively and highlights the submission process that led to the selection of 16 unique artists. The episode also touches on the themes explored in the artwork, including culture and sexual identity, and the positive impact the exhibition had on attendees. Tune in to learn more about this inspiring initiative and the power of art in addressing important social issues.

About Our Guest:
I have been a proud Girl Scout for eleven years, having begun my journey as a first grade Daisy in Troop 2303. I grew up in Middleton and am currently a junior at Middleton High School. I have always been an artist with a deep love for creativity and storytelling. I enjoy drawing, reading, writing, and travel. My recent trips include visits to Barcelona and Paris, where I especially enjoyed visiting the museums and historical sites. I am hoping to pursue a career in visual arts and am currently in the process of applying to college.

@herartexhibit on Instagram

www.herartexhibit.org

Her Art Exhibit catalogue on Amazon

Marley shares her inspiring journey of curating and developing a children's art gallery in partnership with the Southwest Art Gallery and Science Center. At just 16 years old, Marley embarked on this project to provide art-related opportunities for kids in her community in North Dakota, where such resources were scarce. She discusses her passion for art as a self-taught artist, the need she identified in her community, and how her collaboration with the Southwest Art Gallery, which shares her mission, facilitated the creation of this new space. Marley reflects on her experience as a volunteer and the process of curating the first exhibit, highlighting the importance of fostering creativity among youth. Tune in to learn how one young artist is making a difference in her community through art!

About Our Guest:
My name is Marly Barnett, I am a 17-year-old Girl Scout from Troop 85112 and I live in the SW region of North Dakota. My Gold Award project, titled “SW Art Gallery and Science Center’s Children’s Gallery”, was to develop a children’s art gallery for grades K-12 within the physical building of the SW Art Gallery and Science Center. I started this project at age 16 in April 2024, and as a result, I have advanced from a volunteer position to a paid role as Student Director of the SW Art Gallery and Science Center’s Children’s Gallery in October. Most recently I added Social Media Coordinator to my responsibilities. The reason I chose this as my Gold Award project was for two reasons, one to play a more active role in my community and two, as a self-taught artist, to make the arts more accessible for young artists in Region 8 of North Dakota.

Imagine a world where friendships are built one letter at a time. That’s exactly what Hannah Crawley created with her Girl Scout Gold Award project—a nationwide pen pal program connecting Girl Scouts across the U.S. and even Japan. At a time when social media dominated communication, Hannah brought back the magic of handwritten letters, fostering deeper connections and lifelong friendships.

Now serving in the military, Hannah reflects on how this project not only strengthened her communication skills but also prepared her for a future where letters remain a vital link. She shares the challenges of organizing the program, the excitement of receiving international candy swaps, and why she spent hours hand-drawing animals for each participant. Plus, we dive into her Girl Scout camp adventures, spooky camp counselor stories, and her favorite way to make s’mores.

📢 Key Takeaways:

• The power of handwritten letters in a digital world.
• How a Gold Award project can have lasting personal and global impact.
• Lessons from military life and the transition from Girl Scouts to service.
• Advice for future Gold Award Girl Scouts on planning ahead.
• A behind-the-scenes look at camp counseling, storytelling, and late-night porcupine encounters.

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