World Preschool & The "Hoodies" Project
My name is Elie Elis. I am a visual artist, visionary, and performance artist. I have been dedicated to a project called “World Preschool.” At its core, we are all preschoolers at heart. The World Preschool is envisioned as an international school committed to world peace and women’s empowerment. It is deliberately designed to be a small school, accommodating only 156 students. In a holistic approach, it can be replicated outside every capital city worldwide, forming an interconnected education system.
The school spans from preschool through high school, and upon graduation, students will continue their education in universities or trade schools across the globe. However, they will return to their native countries, bringing the light of democracy and knowledge to all corners of the world. The governing body will consist of a paid council and advisors with the title “Artist.”
Integral to the school’s philosophy is its architectural design. I have identified three architects whom I believe can contribute to a visionary plan: Peter Cully, Daniel MacNelly, and VMDO architects. Training will be provided in medical fields, English, arts, and more.
To ensure financial support for the school and create job opportunities in the USA, I propose various business ideas. Art sales and products, such as T-shirts, can be a source of income. Paintings can be auctioned, starting at 1 million US dollars, and artists will receive 10% of the profit when their paintings are sold. I have donated numerous paintings to organizations like “SPARC” in Richmond, contributing 10% myself, and allocating 80% to the World Preschool.
Additionally, I suggest establishing a World Preschool food division that sells healthy food at a reasonable cost. This division may eventually expand into a restaurant. My family has a delicious homemade chocolate sauce and healthy macaroni and cheese, suitable for individuals with celiac disease. Another offering could be stone-ground wheat buttermilk waffles with pecans, made without sugar to address the excess sugar in our current food market.
Art trading cards, similar to baseball cards, feature information and photographs on the front, covering various fields such as music, painting, directing, theater, and dance. The back of the cards contains information gathered from diverse sources, including the internet. I believe this initiative is crucial for our youth.
Regarding a potential movie, I’ve compiled memories for a film. The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts has acknowledged my work in their Arts and Education Department. They expressed admiration for my vision, and a painting was accepted. Ms. Kelly Powell, the executive secretary, is involved. Hopefully, we can find a director who shares an interest. The content I’ve written aims to positively impact people.
I’ve hosted several art shows for my paintings, often labeled as “Neo Dada,” though I personally prefer “Advanced Preschool.” Drawing from my experience teaching preschool, I observe correlations between adult behavior worldwide and that of children. Influences include Marcel Duchamp (despite not being a parent), Christo, Sir Ken Robinson, and Joseph Campbell, along with many philosophers. My exploration led me back to Greek philosophers and the foundational philosophy of the United States.
I enjoy engaging in debates about philosophy, education, and ethics. My performance art, often impromptu and featuring my lavender-dyed dogs, has taken me across the country. I’ve visited numerous museums and art galleries, driven across the country twice, and met wonderful people. This journey forms a significant part of my movie idea, as I embarked on it solo with a modest camping budget.
Love, a single word encapsulating myriad feelings, becomes more nuanced when exploring terms such as EROS, PHILIA, AGAPE, STORGE, KNOSIS, LUDUS, PRAGMA, and PHILAUTIA.
Additionally, I’ve coined the term EUDEMOCRACY, representing the self-governance of an individual.
“Peace Corps-like”: The U.S. military enlists individuals at a young age, which raises ethical concerns due to the ongoing development of the brain during this period. An alternative approach could involve establishing a Peace Corps for individuals aged 18 to 21. High school graduates could undergo training and contribute to communities both domestically and internationally. Upon reaching the age of 21, they would have the option to enlist if necessary.
Addressing homelessness and addiction on the West Coast, a proposed solution involves transporting affected individuals to the desert and providing temporary shelter in circus tents. A mandatory three-month stay would include detoxification and counseling, aimed at addressing the risks they pose to themselves and others. Given that many individuals in this situation have families, community assistance becomes a civic duty. This perspective stems from personal experience when I found myself without shelter on Hollywood Blvd after an incident in Long Beach, California.
Public schools in the USA can enhance their STEM programs to include education on brain health, fostering a deeper understanding of mental illness and empowering students to find solutions for their families and communities. Incorporating greenhouse gardening into STEM programs allows students to participate in growing their own food, contributing to the fight against obesity in the USA.
The vision is to build a minimum of two schools each year, with headquarters located in Richmond, Virginia, just outside Washington, DC. The plan includes acquiring my family’s farms in Buckingham, Virginia, such as the 500-acre land grant named “AFTON” and the adjacent 1,000-acre farm called “Mount Rush,” owned by my cousins. These farms would be repurposed into a summer camp for at-risk city children aged 12 to 18. The aim is to provide a relaxing and enjoyable summer getaway where they can make new friends, engage in activities, and learn together.
Considering a music festival on the farms, the expansive size would accommodate up to 40,000 attendees over three days. Buses from Charlottesville and Richmond, Virginia, could facilitate transportation, and camping options would be available. The festival’s focus on “Brain Health” aims to generate conversations about this crucial subject. While psychiatry has made strides in the past two decades, there is still progress to be made in supporting individuals and families facing mental health challenges.
The nonprofit initiative is expected to launch this year. Additionally, a castle in Europe is envisioned as a potential meeting place for individuals involved with World Preschool. The overarching idea is to raise students in an educational system that emphasizes democracy and republic thinking. The hope is that these students will eventually play a role in changing their countries’ governments and become global citizens fostering peace over war between nations.
The “Hoodies” Project
The “Hoodies” Project emerges as a beacon of hope within inner city communities, where families face unique challenges and opportunities for growth often go unnoticed. Through a fusion of creativity, education, and athleticism, we strive to empower and uplift these communities, bridging gaps and building pathways to success.
At the heart of our endeavor are the “Hoodies” – a collective of university students committed to making a tangible difference in the lives of inner city youth. Our after-school clubs serve as vibrant hubs of activity and learning, where young minds can explore a plethora of passions and talents. From baking and selling cookies to embarking on thrilling adventures in snowboarding, camping, and hiking, we provide a diverse array of experiences designed to ignite curiosity and foster self-expression.
But our vision extends beyond mere recreation. Recognizing the glaring disparities in access to aquatic sports, we champion initiatives to introduce swimming and diving programs to inner city schools. With the support of the American Swimming Association, we challenge the status quo, striving to diversify and enrich the world of competitive swimming. Through summer classes and year-round training opportunities, we equip dedicated athletes with the skills and resources they need to pursue scholarships and unlock their full potential.
The “Hoodies” Project is more than just a program – it’s a catalyst for change, a testament to the transformative power of community and collaboration. By nurturing talent, fostering inclusivity, and breaking down barriers, we pave the way for a brighter future, where every child has the opportunity to thrive, regardless of their background or circumstances. Together, we redefine what’s possible and sow the seeds of hope in the very heart of our cities.