Heart on Canvas

A personal blog by Katty Antoine, Founder & Executive Director of The Young Imprint

Hi there! I don’t have a fancy intro, just a lot of truth I’ve been meaning to get out. Nothing fancy. Just real life as it’s happening and The Young Imprint as its unfolding. The small wins, the lessons, the moments that make me stop and think.

It’s less about having it all together and more about being real about the process. So, with that being said, let’s start here. . . . . .

Planting Seeds (even without roots)

Can we talk about how performative community work can feel sometimes? Like, you’re out here genuinely trying to do something good, and later realize that if there isn’t evidence of it on social media, it almost doesn’t count. At least not to the people who decide what gets taken seriously. I’m learning real quick that visibility often equals credibility. Every now and then I’ll see a picture of myself from an event and reshare it but even that feels weird sometimes. It’s not that I don’t want to share what I’m doing. It just starts to feel less genuine when it has to be proven. But I get it. People want to see it, not just hear about it. So here I am, showing up, doing the work, and laughing through the awkward parts.

So for those who’ve been wondering what I’ve been up to… here’s the scoop

Girls on the Run – Liberty Elementary

Saying yes to Girls on the Run was a no-brainer. As a fitness lover and mom, motivating young girls through movement is right up my alley. Thankfully, it’s less about how fast you can run and more about building confidence and teamwork which works out for me since I haven’t run much since leaving the Army in 2022. Still, it’s Georgia in October, so the heat definitely adds a little extra challenge. But I can’t wait to see these girls cross the finish line at their 5K next month.

CASA -Liberty

I’ve been working through my training to become a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA). It’s self-paced, but I might need to pick up the pace a bit. Still, the heart behind it keeps me going. I truly believe the only way to build a better world is by pouring into our younger generations, and this feels like one of the ways I’m meant to do that.

Telfair Museums

I’ll be starting docent training at the Telfair Museums this Friday, and I’m really looking forward to it. I am eager to to connect with other creative people, and keep growing in this space. I’m just trying to learn as much as I can to help The Young Imprint fully develop into what it has the possibility to be: a children’s art museum, a gallery, maybe a “ gallerium” ha ha ! The verdict’s still out on that one, but I trust it’ll all come together when the time is right.

Neighborhood Leadership Academy - Step Up Savannah

NLA classes are on Zoom, and it’s been a great experience so far. Learning from established and emerging leaders in the community has helped me strengthen my skills and better understand local issues.

United Way -Young Leaders

I’ve signed up, but honestly, it’s hard to keep up with anything in Savannah after 4 p.m. At this point, I might just drag my daughter with me to the monthly meetings. But first, I probably need to get that AC fixed, because driving around in this Georgia heat feels like its own workout at this point. Who needs a sauna after the gym when your car blows hot air?😆

The Truth About Networking (for me, anyway)

When it comes to networking, I stepped back a little. I used to put myself out there more, thinking that’s what I needed to do to build something new. But I learned pretty quickly that sometimes emotions run high and people get caught up in the moment. They’ll say things they don’t quite mean. Not in a bad way, just in that fleeting kind of way. After a while, that started to feel draining. I’ve always been an introvert, so the surface-level stuff has never been my cup of tea. Add post-military social anxiety on top of that, and it takes a lot to show up. So I stopped forcing it. I figured if I just kept doing the work, the right people would eventually find their way. but lately I’ve realized I can’t hide behind the work forever. Relationships matter ! Probably more than I wanted to admit. The right people might find their way eventually, but not if I never show up. So now I’m learning to do both: build quietly, but stay connected along the way. It’s not perfect, but it’s progress. And for now, that’s enough.

The Part Between Vision and Proof

When it comes to partnerships, volunteers, sponsors, and just building your thing in general, I’m by no means trying to do it alone. But it can definitely feel a little lonely and hard to navigate sometimes. It’s kind of like trying to land your first job when everyone’s asking for prior experience. You’re eager, capable, and ready to work, but most people want to see that you’ve already done it somewhere else first. So that’s what I’ve been focusing on. Doing the work and letting it speak for itself. I’m realizing some people need to fully see it before jumping on board. Even parents who seem all in during the events don’t always follow through later, and I think that says a lot about where we are right now as a culture. Everyone’s kind of in their own world , doing what they can, but not always together. But again relationships take time and I know the right ones will grow when they’re meant to.

In Case You Were Wondering

I’ve been funding this myself for now. I figured I needed to build it before asking anyone else to believe in it, because waiting for people to “get it” might mean waiting forever. And even though this isn’t about me, I knew I had to invest in the dream first if I wanted anyone else to take it seriously. Somehow, I went from chasing school partnerships to setting up a 10x10 tent almost every weekend. It’s not always convenient, but if I’m being honest, it’s been so empowering! There’s something about doing the work yourself that changes everything. You start to trust your own vision a little more, and that confidence becomes its own kind of fuel. I guess I also wanted to wait for our 501(c)(3) status before leading with that part of the story, but judging by the pace of things, I’m starting to think that department might’ve packed up and left months ago. 😅

The Weight and the Wonder

Our first pop-up gallery didn’t go exactly how I pictured it aesthetic wise, but it was definitely a learning experience. Glad my in-laws drove up from Jacksonville to help while my husband was in the field. I couldn’t have done it without them. The feedback was amazing and made me truly realize why this should exist. So many people stopped by and shared what the art made them feel, and honestly, all the hearts were moved. Wish I could say the same about the pockets 😅. Still, I’m trusting God’s timing with all of this. The ego tries to rush it sometimes, but I know there’s purpose in the process. I just wasn’t prepared for the weight of it all, the responsibility of holding these kids’ futures, their families’ trust, and realizing that every piece of artwork I’ve collected represents something much bigger than a drawing or a painting. It’s heavy, but it’s also sacred.

Deep Roots, New Seeds

Every time I hear someone talk about having “deep roots in Long County” or “deep roots in Liberty,” I feel like that Viola Davis GIF where she grabs her purse and walks out 🤣. Like, if y’all don’t want newcomers, just say that. I get it though! Strong community ties matter. But there’s also a strong military community here, and for many of us, home has always been wherever the Army sends us. My family and I moved here from Washington state last year and this is our first time in the south. But this! This? Feels like something worth staying for. At least until the roots are planted for it to grow on without me. I’m honestly open to whatever God wants it to be, especially since He gave me the dream right here in Ludowici. I may not have deep roots, but I’m planting seeds. And maybe that’s the point. Because roots aren’t always about where you started. Sometimes they’re about where you choose to grow and who you grow for.

Until next time. 🌱

With love,
Katty 💛