According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , more than 40% of school-aged children and adolescents have at least one chronic illness; Behind this statistic lie innumerable individual stories of strength and hope. One such story is that of the Arts & Foundation; this foundation was founded by the Gualandi family in the heart of Miami, whose journey began with daughter Marin Wilson Gualandi.
Marin Gualandi was a vibrant soul particularly active in the performing arts community in Miami. An attendee of the New World School of the Arts (NWSA), she studied Musical Theatre. Additionally, she was especially active within Miami Children’s Theater (MCT), where she performed over fifty shows. Unfortunately, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Marin was diagnosed with a type of Cancer called Synovial Sarcoma. Her hospital experience differed due to the safety protocols set in place at the Nicklaus Children’s Hospital. However, with the help of Music Therapists, her ease increased and she found different methods to cope with her diagnosis and condition.
“During my month-long stay in the hospital for treatment, I couldn’t see my friends or the majority of my family. I couldn’t participate in theatre or attend my performing arts high school. My only real joy came from the hour of Music Therapy I had access to every so often,” explained Marin in an Arts & Foundation message back in 2021. “The therapeutic sensation of being able to express how I felt in a familiar and tangible medium was the thing that kept me grounded through it all. I don’t want anyone to have to go through a difficult experience like this without having access to an outlet of expression.”
Throughout her diagnosis, many of her loved ones understandably wanted to donate things to Marin to show their support; however, Marin often felt that she was being rewarded for being sick. This sentiment then sparked the creation of the Arts & Foundation.
“She decided she wanted to give people a place to show their love and support,” explained Marin’s mother, Nicole Gualandi. “But she could in turn do something good with all of it.”
The core philosophy of Arts & Foundation revolves around the belief that art, in any form, has the power to transcend hardship. There’s a strong emphasis that the challenges faced by each child are unique yet equally as important; Additionally, this foundation not only highlights the children diagnosed with these illnesses, but also their siblings who struggle alongside them. As Marin underwent treatment, her brother Kiernan diligently and independently navigated the college admission process as a high school senior. While he remained hopeful for the future, Kiernan harbored concerns about the family’s financial situation, especially with ongoing medical expenses. However, as Marin used music to cope with her diagnosis, Kiernan also used the arts as a coping mechanism, notably focusing on both costume creation and the development of Dungeons & Dragons campaigns; additionally, both siblings shared a love for theatre and would act alongside shows together whenever given the chance.
While Marin was found Cancer-free in July of 2021 at 15 years old, she was unfortunately re-diagnosed later that year. However, she did not let this discourage her and, through the help of the Arts & Foundation, Marin worked hard to uplift children with experiences similar to her own. When describing Marin, many highlight her high energy and rockstar-esque personality. Until her passing in 2022— just one day short of her 17th birthday— she lit up every room she was in, never letting her diagnosis crush her spirits.
The Arts & Foundation, while still in its beginning stages, works tirelessly to carry out its mission while also being an homage to Marin Gualandi’s life.
“It is the connection it gives us to Marin and the kids who share so many similarities to Marin’s journey,” explained Nicole Gualandi. “The flip side is that, sometimes, it is difficult to work on foundation things through our grief. Marin is infused in everything we do at Arts & so our growth as a foundation has been much slower because we sometimes have to step away and know that is okay. The size of the foundation isn’t related to the love we have for Marin. We want to make sure we are doing things right so this will be a long-lasting tribute to Marin and all kids who have to go through unimaginable things.”
One of the methods that the Arts & Foundation uses to uplift struggling kids is through its scholarship program, “Arts & Scholarship”. Each year, two scholarships are awarded by the foundation; one of these scholarships is the standard “Arts & Scholarship,” which is awarded to a graduating senior in high school who intends to further pursue a career in the arts and has been going through a long-term illness (whether it be physical or mental). The second scholarship awarded is called the “Arts & Sibling” scholarship, which is awarded to a graduating senior who has a sibling who is going through a long-term illness and intends to pursue a career in the arts. Both scholarships are worth $1,000 and have application forms available directly on the Arts & Foundation website.
Additionally, the Arts & Foundation is renowned for its Squishmallow Campaign for Comfort program, a sector of “Arts & Volunteer,” which blossomed as a result of Marin’s love for Squishmallow-brand stuffed animals. Through this program, the Arts & Foundation donated over 1,200 Squishmallows to kids in need at the Nicklaus Children’s Hospital. Those interested in participating in a Squishmallow campaign have a handful of options. For example, participants can go about buying a Squishmallow (or Squishy) from the Arts & Foundation website to be directly donated to Nicklaus Children’s Hospital. Additionally, the foundation welcomes and encourages people to run their own Squishmallow drives at a local hospital, shelter, or organization of their choice; a step-by-step document on going about running your own drive is available online alongside a handful of other resources, making the process as accessible as possible to all those who express interest in contributing to the cause.
ILS Senior Maria Ignacia Cadenas is a survivor of thyroid cancer. Being especially active in the ILS arts scene (working as the Head of Sound for the Drama Club, the head of the iNKLiNGS Literary Magazine, and a writer for the Royal Courier), she felt a special connection to the cause.
“Before my surgery, I had a dream that I lost my voice,” said Cadenas. While this topic was sensitive, she chuckled through it. “I remember waking up from my dream and, instead of dwelling on that sad sentiment, writing into a rom-com novel!” She mused, before further explaining: “Writing was definitely a coping mechanism for me; It really helped me channel my emotions– Not necessarily anger or sadness, but more so to unleash my creativity and find humor in my situation.”
According to a research paper published in the National Library of Medicine, art therapy helps people express themselves, improve their mental health, and improve their interpersonal relationships. The practice of art therapy has been shown to significantly increase the quality of life of people struggling with both mental and physical illnesses. Art can come in many forms; To some, it is playing sports. To others, it is acting, singing, and dancing. However, at the heart of it, it is about putting thoughts and feelings into something healing and empowering.
“We all consider dance, theater, sculptures, and music as art, but what about baseball? Is an amazing double play artistic?” Nicole Gualandi rhetorically questions. “What about the beauty of DNA structure or a molecule? To some, that is art.”
Marin’s enduring passion for the arts continues to inspire not only those who knew her but countless people who have heard her story. Her legacy serves as a testament to the unshakable drive that the arts can provide in times of hardship. Marin’s impact is prevalent even after her passing, as she inspires a myriad of projects across Miami; this is especially prevalent in productions put on by New World School of the Arts, where Marin would be graduating from this year.
“Marin truly shows how love for music and the arts is timeless. I’ve only known her mutually, but her legacy shines everywhere and it affects the artistic youth,” said senior Leandra Obando, a prevalent vocalist at ILS. “I’ve seen this firsthand through watching NWSA’s production of Ride the Cyclone, which is the show that Marin had wanted to do in her classroom. At the end of it, the energy of the room was beaming, and you could tell that there was so much love for Marin and the arts in the room. it really made me realize how important the arts are. It will always resonate with you, which is why the Arts & Foundation is so necessary– it uplifts and allows young artists to make an impact in the world and change lives.”
Marin’s spirit continues to live on all throughout the art community in Miami, Florida. For more information as to how to support the Arts & Foundation with #MarinInMind, see their website.
