Spark The Arts was established in early 2024 to honor the memory of Evan James Sparks -- a beautiful son, brother, grandson, nephew, and friend who is deeply loved and greatly missed. In the spirit of Evan's true passion for filmmaking and love of all art forms, the goal of Spark The Arts is to support the work of young independent artists and, to date, has helped fund 13 projects and other initiatives in film, theatre, and music. Projects are carefully evaluated through an application process that includes a comprehensive project description or pitch deck, documented budget breakdown, and production timeline. Grants are awarded to artists with the proven talent, training, dedication, motivation, and additional investors/funding capabilities to see their projects through with the same sense of responsibility and passion for their art that Evan possessed. Project content is also considered for storylines, topic areas, and artistic style/design work that Evan would have been inspired by. To keep Spark The Arts active, a 2nd Annual Benefit has been established, kicked off by a community concert and gathering, generously hosted by family friends, on October 7, 2024. The concert features music by Evan's father Jimmy Sparks and the 5 Cent Lucy band. All funds collected, during the Benefit Concert and beyond, will be used to continue to help independent artists pursue their creative endeavors to bring meaning, enlightenment, thought, beauty, and joy to the world while being lifted and supported in Evan's name. The Sparks family would like to thank you for any contribution you desire to make to honor Evan's memory and keep the fund going. The love and support poured out by the far-reaching community means the world and is deeply felt. ABOUT EVAN SPARKS (4.13.99 - 12.16.20) Evan was a kind, compassionate, loving, adventurous, witty, smart, hardworking, and creatively artistic young man with a great smile, twinkling eyes, infectious laugh, and sarcastic sense of humor. He was an Eagle Scout and spent many hours of his youth volunteering to help the homeless and poverty-stricken populations. He loved hiking, rock climbing, concerts, road trips, waterfalls, the beach, and being anywhere with his friends and family. Evan made mundane activities a memorable adventure, and his greatest gift was his ability to connect with people deeply and authentically. Amongst his many activities and interests, Evan’s greatest passion and desired career was filmmaking. He wrote his first screenplay in fifth grade and passionately believed in the art of storytelling to entertain, provoke thought, make change, and help people feel -- whether to be scared, laugh, cry, love, or heal. Starting with special effects tutorials, Evan grew into a creator and collaborator on narrative short films, music videos, and documentaries. He excelled in directing and cinematography, always had a camera in his hands, and devoured screenplays and films of all genres. He mentored and was mentored and surrounded himself with incredible creative talent. Most of all, Evan was a genuine connector and collaborator, as interested in helping other artists thrive as much as himself. Evan was to be in his final semester at Florida State University’s College of Motion Picture Arts (CPMA), a program in which he was fully immersed and completely dedicated. He was set to graduate in April 2024 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film Production (specialty in Directing), and had plans beyond graduation. Yet, his BFA degree in Film Production (Directing) was awarded posthumously in Tallahassee, Florida, and his final senior thesis film was screened with those of his fellow FSU CMPA Class of 2024 family. Evan's memory lives on through the endless love of his family and friends and in the projects afforded through Spark The Arts to continue his legacy and passion for the arts. His life matters and he will never be forgotten. We will always say his name. EVAN JAMES SPARKS
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