“My favorite moments are watching people take their first bite of our cupcakes, and talking with them about our mission to generate funds for Arts education. The stories we hear from clients and event guests about the role the Arts have played in their lives, or their children’s lives, remind us daily of the importance and significance of our mission. ”
As ACA begins ramping up for Open Studios – one of our biggest events of the year – we have been lucky enough to have a new addition among our usual 80+ artists and fine crafters that will temporarily set up shop in our building.
Amy Chasan, Arlington native, turned herself into a woman of many trades; an artist, activist, and a businesswoman. With the start of her bakery, Sweet Generation, Amy has created a truly inspiring business model that we at ACA feel empowered to share with our community.
Sweet Generation is an online bakery that creates beautifully crafted treats for purchase in the New York City area, while also providing a customizing option for businesses and organizations. While it is easy to go through the gallery of the many delectable desserts that can be ordered, it is important to not overlook what makes Sweet Generation such an important company – a portion of every sale goes towards Arts Education.
Sweet Generation has had an incredible start thus far. Amy has catered events for celebrities like Wyclef Jean and Sheryl Sandberg, as well as galas for nonprofits like Citizen Schools at NYC’s Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. In addition, Sweet Generation has won the 2013 New Challenge for Social Innovation for their work.
Amy discussed her childhood growing up in Arlington and how it shaped her interest in Arts Education. She looked back on memories of attending Bright Start after school and the Arlington Boys & Girls Club for summer camp, going on to eventually get her first job there as a camp counselor and end up getting her Arts Teaching License. She goes on to explain, “Weekends doing art projects and baking with my mom truly cultivated my creativity and made me realize my love of the arts.”
This won’t be the first time Amy has utilized her talents to give back to ACA – this past year Amy generously created custom cupcakes for our Silver! ACA’s 25th Anniversary Gala Celebration.
We are thrilled to have Amy’s delicious assortment of cupcakes make another appearance at this year’s Open Studios, which are available for pre-order to help support ACA and can be picked up at the event. 15% of the proceeds will go towards Arts Education for kids and teens at ACA.
We hope to see you at the event and helping to support ACA through Sweet Generation. As it was well articulated by Amy herself, “… who doesn’t love a cupcake with a cause?!”
More information about Arlington Open Studios can be found HERE as well as a sneak peek of what will be seen at the event.