As published in the Jamaica - November 30, 2025
Teachers Chevelle Taylor and Candia King proudly showcase their creative talents alongside Shawn Ashman (right), CEO of The Art of Motivation Inc, and Dennis Beckford, accountant at the D&G Foundation.
LAUGHTER, conversation, and moments of reflective silence intertwined as Art of Motivation Inc founder and artist Shawn Ashman led Enid Bennett High School students through the ‘Draw It Out’ programme, hosted in partnership with the D&G Foundation.
Some 50 students from grades seven to 11, accompanied by teachers, explored their feelings through drawing and creative expression. For students still navigating the effects of Hurricane Melissa, the exercise offered a moment of release and calm, turning abstract emotions into tangible forms that carried a sense of peace beyond the classroom walls.
Ashman, known to many as Lady Ash, opened the workshop personal stories that helped the group settle into the reflective work ahead. She encouraged them to notice how the storm may still be affecting their mood and concentration, then guided them towards expressing those feelings through colour, line, and form. “If you cannot draw, write words. Perfection is not required. This is about you,” she reminded them as they began placing their emotions on paper.
Throughout the morning, she returned to a single idea that grounded the discussion: resilience. Ashman encouraged the students to set ambitious goals and remain receptive to opportunity as they navigate uncertainty.
Click here to read the full article in the Jamaica Observer