Chattanooga, Tennessee
The Artist Within Foundation
The Artist Within Foundation
Growing Together Through Stories
We believe every child carries a unique story, a creative spirit, and a heart that deserves to be understood.
Through beautifully illustrated stories, meaningful conversations, and creative activities, we help children and the adults who love them explore emotions, build resilience, and grow together.
One story.
One conversation.
One little heart at a time.
The Artist Within Foundation exists to nurture emotional growth, creativity, literacy, and connection through the power of storytelling.
We create resources that help children understand their feelings, express themselves safely, develop empathy, and discover the strength within themselves.
By partnering with families, educators, counselors, and communities, we create opportunities for children to feel seen, heard, valued, and supported.
Our Vision
We envision a world where every child has access to stories and resources that remind them:
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Their feelings matter.
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Their voice matters.
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Their imagination matters.
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Their story matters.
A world where children and adults grow together through understanding, compassion, and connection.
Our Mission
Meet the Author
Meet Isela Arredondo
Isela Arredondo is an author, storyteller, and founder of The Artist Within Foundation.
Inspired by the belief that stories can become bridges between hearts, Isela creates children’s books designed to help children and families explore emotions, healing, kindness, and personal growth.
Her mission is to create a library where every child can find a story that helps them feel understood.
Supports Survivors of Cancer
A Gem For A Gem
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As I meditate on the beautiful pearl, I am reminded that this is a result of endurance, self-care and a natural mechanism to protect ourselves from the pain that is interjected in our lives. It is fascinating the beauty of recognizing the source of our pain, being determined to continuously coat it with the luster of the knowledge, determination and strength to face and not avert our pain.
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You too are a beautiful result of said pain, for this illness has made you question your strength and endurance, almost enhancing life’s unfairness.
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Like the oyster, you never gave up and, in the process, create something so valuable, beautiful, and lustrous of your own life and everyone’s lives you have touched. Your courageous determination, like luster has added to your inner beauty, value, and irreplaceability.
Thanks to you for teaching me and allowing me to see the world for what it could be if we do not give up through your example and endurance.
Achievements
Helping others is what
Isela is known
for.
For every one purchased, one is donated to a survivor of cancer
Ernie Towler
Elanger's Oncology Support Center