Tamir Hardaway had been residing in Montgomery for a few of months when he drove by an out of doors party at the Urban Dreams Great Artwork Middle together South Court Street.

Just 13, his life a short while ago experienced been uprooted when he and his household still left their California community and its rich arts and cultural scene to transfer to Ridgecrest — an area vastly distinct from the only one particular Hardaway ever had identified. 

“It was a major lifestyle shock,” explained Hardaway, component of Lanier’s Class of 2021. “It was a change in speed and alter in frame of mind.” 

The heart, a nonprofit with a mission to offer artists a space to make and share their operate, was the kind of area Hardaway experienced been lacking. 

“It was hard transferring here,” he said. “I missing all of my close friends, all of my practices. So, observing a constructing like this really ignited that flame and has just saved me likely as an artist. … 

“I came just about every working day for at the very least a month. … It was refreshing, rejuvenating.”

About the subsequent four years, Hardaway dedicated himself to setting up on his artistic skills and creating a brand to offer his items.