Harp Sohal and Shannon Mann of Pink Orchid Studio, their team, and local vendors put together an amazing event in order to raise funds for Maple’s Scholarship for the Arts at Emily Carr. The event was held on April 22 at Funk’n’Frost in Guildford Town Centre.
The #posnation (a phrase coined to refer to their strong social media followers) came out to support and purchase the lip gloss. This was very touching for Maple’s parents and family whom were also present at the launch to showcase Maple’s artwork and to support the cause.
Harp and Shannon expressed that “after meeting Maple’s parents and family they wanted to help grow her legacy.” Having a following on social media and being able to influence audiences locally and internationally they wanted to use this platform to bring light to issues affecting their community.
Maple would have used her life to help people. Anyone who speaks about her sheds light on how kind and nurturing she was. She was a gifted artist, actress, model and aspiring doctor. Maple passed tragically in Surrey, BC in a senseless act of violence in 2011. The breadth of Maples’s work as an artist and performer provides young South Asian women with inspiration and the drive to look within themselves to harness and refine their creative talents. Maple embedded a fierce dedication to her art.
The establishment of Maple Batalia’s Memorial Scholarship for the Arts at Emily Carr provides an opportunity for up and coming South Asian-Canadian female artists to pursue and fulfill their artistic dreams. Shannon shares that “being artists themselves and knowing how passionate Maple was about her art made Pink Orchid Studio the perfect platform to raise funds for her scholarship.” Not only do these ladies have a platform that reaches worldwide, but they are also ones to make an impact with anything they do.
Using the hashtag #weareallmaple they are encouraging everyone to wear Maple’s gloss and post it on social media to start conversation and generate a sense of community. Harp and Shannon have made it clear that women empowerment starts with just one voice. In this case Maple’s voice was taken from her. They stepped up and brought attention to this cause and brought the community together all while instilling a strong message in everyone’s hearts.
On behalf of Pink Orchid Studio Harp and Shannon would like to say “a huge thank you to everyone who came out to the event to support not only Maple’s scholarship but her family. A strong salute to the #posnation for always showing love and support!” Maple’s story is something that they carry close to their hearts and now by spreading the message they have touched ours. "We all had humble beginnings coming from hard working immigrant families, but we had the same dreams as Maple. We got the chance to pursue ours, she didn’t. #Weareallmaple ” says Shannon.
Lastly, from Shannon and Harp themselves: A huge thank you to all the vendors who came on board and brought life to this event. Her family was really pleased with the tasteful decor showcasing Maple’s paintings and sketches beside the new lip gloss and the array of Pink Orchid Studio Cosmetics.