“I have always found that I had a passion for art myself and did not know how or where to start in the art world to express that publicly, so I came up with the idea of a website where students can freely express themselves and their voices on my website and where they can display their work and tell the world what they want to convey,” Dakota said.
Dakota’s passion for art and love for people’s stories led her to start creating “The Hive” in August. Set to launch in a couple of weeks, the free platform will provide both students and adults with a space to showcase their work and share the personal narrative behind their creations.
Dakota juggles this demanding project with athletics, school life, and home life, and believes that her project is worth the time and effort because she gets to meet new people and see what drives them to create their own story on a canvas.
“I found myself finding so much joy in listening to people’s stories and seeing their creative side when I would travel or from my customers at work,” Dakota said.
Dakota previously worked at Blenders, where she was inspired by the stories of her customers from all over the world, their lives, and their art. She plans to showcase “The Hive” as a place where people can express a side of themselves they do not always have the opportunity to show.
Dakota wanted a name that would reflect the sense of community and shared artistry she hoped the site would inspire. She chose the name because she imagines the website as a place “buzzing with artwork,” where creativity can be shared freely. She wants the space alive and full of energy, just like a real hive.
There are no age limits, fees, or requirements for people to publish their work. Anyone, from kids to adults, can post their work and share the meaning behind it.
Dakota hopes to make this place welcoming to those who feel intimidated or unsure about how to begin sharing their art publicly. She plans to branch out to the entire Santa Barbara community and offer her website as a place to feel inspired, rather than wasting time on social media, which can be harmful and discouraging.
She emphasizes that many artists who invest a considerable amount of time and effort into their pieces often receive little to no recognition for their work. A key part of Dakota’s vision includes sharing the personal stories behind each piece. She believes that the art holds more power when the viewer understands the story behind it.
“Having that description with their artwork will show the humanity behind the art and show that it isn’t just an image but a person who expressed their freedom of creativity on a canvas, photo, and more,” Dakota said.
Dakota encourages people to communicate and share their stories through their art, and hopes to foster a community of self-expression and passion following the launch of her website. Make sure to keep an eye out for “The Hive” in the near future.
