What is iCreate?

iCreate was conceived by two friends, Maryam Abdullah and Memona Hossain as a project that could allow local Muslim artisans to come together for a cause.  Artists rent booths for a minimal cost and commit to donating a certain amount of their revenues for a specified cause at an iCreate Arts and Crafts Bazaar.  This unique type of event allows community members to come together, recognize local artists, allows artists to network with the community and together both community members and artisans help support a common cause.  Our initial event will be to help support the victims of Gaza.  Our future goals include supporting Orphan Sponsorship, War Victims, local community programs like supporting the homeless and shelters.   

Through this unique project, artisans are able to support both local and international causes by doing what they do best...ART :D  Community members become aware of the talents within their community and support local businesses and simultaneously a community gathering is supported.

Who can participate?

This unique project is open for any artisan to participate so long as they support the goals and objectives of iCreate!  Beginner, budding and professional artists are all welcome!  Some forms of art include: paintings, mosaics, pottery, jewellery, henna, gifts, stationary, baked goods and confectionary, cards, decoration pieces, brooches and pins, and anything else that the mind can conceive and the hands can make!

What are the goals?

iCreate aims to:

1. Bring the community together to support both local and international causes (e.g., war victims, orphan sponsorship, homeless shelters, educational projects, restoration projects, etc.)
2. Allow artisans to showcase their work and gain recognition and networking opportunities within the community.
3. Allow a local community bazaar event that brings the community together
4. Collaborate with local organizations to bring various members of the community together in support of a common cause.

Where does the money go?

iCreate aims to be a non-profit project through which revenues are donated through organizations that best support specific projects.  For example, in the case of supporting victims of Gaza, iCreate has teamed with IslamicRelief to help transfer the money in the best way.  Artisans are asked to pay a minimum amount for booth set-up, this money goes towards logistical costs of the iCreate Arts and Crafts Bazaar set-up (e.g., flyers and marketing costs, location costs, etc.); the percentage of money that artisans commit to donating from their revenues are donated directly to the cause. 

About us

Maryam Abdullah and Memona Hossain are two friends living in the GTA who have a passion for Arts and Crafts and out of the feel for the need to help those around us, conceived the iCreate Project.  Maryam is a mother and a recent graduate of Early Childhood Education, and Taleem Al Quran.  Memona is a teacher and currently pursuing a Master’s in Education.