Meet Highland & Mia

Highland and Mia don’t know each other, but they sure both know the Arts For Life art table.

Highland, who is four, has been visiting the art table at the pediatric oncology clinic since she was diagnosed with Leukemia over two years ago. She is done with treatment now.

Mia, who is eight, has been a regular at the outpatient clinic art table for the last two years, since she’s been coming for her therapy appointments.

Read on to hear more from these inspiring young artists…

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Tell us something really interesting about you.

Highland: I always am smart and smiley and I always get smiley faces at school.

Mia: In music at school, I learned to sing “Silent Night” in a different language & I sang it to over 100 people. I have also written a song for my Mimi & sang it for her. And I am in “Women in Music” club at school and we learn about different women who are musicians and important to music.

What’s something you’ve always dreamed of doing?

Highland: I’ve dreamed to be ballet.

Mia: FLYING! Or, eating a giant cupcake that would be big enough for the whole world to eat!

If you could have any superpower, what would it be?

Highland: It would be flying in the air! [she leaps up, extends her arms and runs out of the room]

Mia: To disappear. AND to be able to have cupcakes appear in my hand and I can throw them at people. I would throw them at bad guys. They might get hit, but they might catch them, and sit down and eat them + enjoy it. Maybe they will forget to do bad things + be happy instead!

What’s your favorite kind of art to make? What kind of art are you good at?

Highland: PAINTING! Because I love painting.

Mia: I like making my own connect-the-dots. Look, I made this one and it looks like a chicken! I also like making little character cards of different characters that I like.

I’m good at coming up with creations – that’s why I like STEM lab. Because we do all kinds of different experiments with different things. We have different jobs in our group, and I am the Captain.

What Arts For Life project has been your favorite to create? Why?

Highland: This! (Washi tape tree garland) Because we get to stick really pretty tape on it.

Mia: Snowflakes! Because I am doing them right now. But I like all the projects. I have a lot of them hanging up above the fridge. There’s barely room for them all!

What do you love about Arts For Life?

Highland: Because we make really pretty stuff.

Mia: [Arts For Life Music Teacher] Melissa! I get to do music with her! I also really love making art.

What is something really funny or amazing that happened at the art table?

Mia: Getting to learn chords on the ukulele was really amazing. I think I know 4 different chords. I asked for a ukulele for Christmas and I think I am going to get one!

Why do you think art is important?

Highland: Because we always make stuff really amazing.

Mia: Because you can do whatever you want! And because its fun.

What is something you’re thankful for right now at this very minute.

Highland: I’m thankful for my family.

Mia: My family.

What is your wish for 2019?

Highland: I want to be a princess again at Disney!

Mia: I want to learn to play my ukulele!