MEET JENNY MANNO
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In the 6th grade I had an art teacher, Mrs.Goddard, who saw a spark of talent in me. She ultimately took me under her wing, encouraging me to recognize it in myself. It wasn’t uncommon for Mrs.Goddard to send another student to pull me from class to help with large school art projects. On one of the most memorable occasions she asked me to create a giant paper mache Charlie Brown for the school library. Being one of the taller girls in school I never really felt like I fit in, so when Mrs. Goddard would request my assistance with various art projects I always felt special. I knew at an early age that this was a once in a lifetime experience.
That same year I created my first watercolor piece of a carousel horse and I was in heaven when Michelle, whom I had befriended the year before, purchased it for $5.00! Michelle was the first person to ever purchase a piece from me (we are still close friends to this day). The watercolor carousel horse eventually caught the eye of the school principal, Ms. Lee, and before I knew it, I had another watercolor request. Upon completion, Ms. Lee not only paid me $5.00, she also framed and hung it in her office. It was in that moment that I knew the importance of art and the impact it was going to have in my life. Thirty nine years later and I am still creating and sharing it with the world via my Facebook Page Next JENeration Art, teaching others that it's okay to think outside of the box.