About Jumpstart Art
Joy, Access, and Creativity on Wheels
Welcome aboard! Jumpstart Art is a mobile art studio dedicated to bringing creativity, connection, and color to communities everywhere. Our classroom on wheels (AKA Freddie the Bus) parks wherever imagination calls: schools, parties, nonprofit programs, and community events.
We believe art isn’t a luxury – it’s a necessity. When kids and families create together, they build confidence, curiosity, and connection. Our mission is simple:
To make creativity accessible, joyful, and mobile for all.
Why Art Matters
Art is more than paint and paper – it’s a pathway to well-being, empathy, and brain growth. Research shows that making art for just 45 minutes can reduce cortisol levels, the hormone tied to stress. Creative expression also enhances cognitive abilities, focus, and problem-solving skills, while fostering emotional regulation and self-awareness.
Boost serotonin and endorphins—our body’s “feel good” chemicals
Strengthen neural connections and increase resilience
Help kids navigate big emotions through self-expression
Improve social skills, collaboration, and confidence
TLDR: Art builds better brains and brighter days.
“All art is good – it’s about the process not the product.”
— Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us, by Ivy Ross and Susan Magsamen
Our Philosophy
Through hands-on projects rooted in social-emotional learning (SEL), Jumpstart Art helps kids and adults alike:
Develop empathy, patience, and collaboration
Build emotional vocabulary and coping skills
Celebrate curiosity, imperfection, and creative problem-solving
Freddie brings these lessons to life wherever she parks, turning parking lots into studios, and art-making into memory-making.
Meet Lauren
Lauren Cannon is a Memphis-based multi-media artist known for her playful, thought-provoking work that blends technical expertise with a vibrant sense of storytelling. With a background in painting, graphic design, and art education, she creates across multiple disciplines.
A passionate educator and advocate, Lauren has dedicated much of her career to expanding arts access for youth and underserved communities. Through Jump Start Art’s scaled pricing and custom programming, Lauren is bringing imaginative, hands-on art experiences directly to schools, community centers, and children’s events across Memphis.
Lauren holds multiple degrees, including a BFA in painting from Southern Methodist University, and both a BFA in graphic design and an MAT in art education from the University of Memphis. She lives in Memphis with her husband and five children.