The LA Marathon and LA Big 5K are this weekend, which means today is our last post in the #MarathonMonday series! This week, meet Team P.S. ARTS runner Salli Richardson:
P.S. ARTS: How are you feeling about race day?
Salli: I am a little nervous! I’m not sure what to expect because this is my first marathon. I ran 5 miles yesterday, but with raising two kids and shooting a tv show – it’s hard to find the time to train!
P.S. ARTS: Why Team P.S. ARTS?
Salli: I became good friends with Kristen Paglia (CEO) and her husband Jaime while working on the TV show Eureka. My husband Dondre and I love attending P.S. ARTS events and supporting the work they are doing in our schools. Kristi promised to be my walking buddy, so Dondre and I joined!
P.S. ARTS: Tell us a little about your experience with arts education.
Salli: My mother was in the recording business, so I was around a lot of music growing up. Both of my parents were university educators and I was lucky to attend the University of Chicago Lab School. There were so many opportunities at that school – opera, woodworking, home economics, band, art and an amazing theater program. Without access to those classes, I would not have the job I have today. I wasn’t involved in many extracurricular activities growing up; the only place I was really exposed to new things was in school. For many kids this is the case, but in schools that no longer have arts programs, the students are missing chances to find hidden talents, and the industry is missing out on budding artists.
As a parent, I try to expose my kids to as many things as possible and see what sticks. My daughter has art, theater and music during the school days and plays the violin after school. She says she wants to be a photographer or a cartoonist when she grows up!
All children should be able to experiment in school. They deserve the opportunity to explore, create and define the things that they are successful at; this just isn’t possible without the arts.
P.S. ARTS: What is your strategy for making it to the finish line?
Salli: I plan to stick with the team and make sure my iPod is charged and ready to pump me up for 26.2 miles!
