Young Art Prodigy Paints a World of Kindness and Compassion

Meet Daily Point of Light Award honoree Zoya Eshwar. Read her story, and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light. 

Zoya Eshwar of Sammamish, Washington, a young art prodigy and the founder of Zoya’s Rainbow Touch, embodies the spirit of creativity and philanthropy. Starting her artistic journey at just 2.5 years old, Zoya has since channeled her talent into a force for good, impacting communities and setting remarkable records in the world of art and philanthropy.  

At the tender age of 5, Zoya already displayed her prodigious talent by winning the “Best Product Design” award at the Acton Children’s Business Fair. Remarkably, she sold her paintings for $600 and donated all the proceeds to charity. This early act of generosity was a precursor to her continuous participation in art shows, where she consistently donates her proceeds to the various causes she’s passionate about. 

Zoya holds two world records, as the “Youngest Art Prodigy & Philanthropist” and “Global Child Art Prodigy & Philanthropist,” highlighting her extraordinary capabilities. Her accolades further include 18 international awards and 16 national awards, a testament to her exceptional talent and heart for philanthropy. Zoya’s dedication to spreading positivity through art has also earned her the President’s Volunteer Service Award.

At 6 years old, Zoya initiated the “Pastel Souls” community outreach program, a platform where children create art for noble causes. The program has grown from a team of five passionate kids to more than 100 volunteers, donating more than 1,500 pieces of artwork and organizing various fundraising activities. This initiative has partnered with 25 different nonprofit groups, creating a significant impact through art donations and free art workshops.  

Read more about Zoya’s remarkable and inspiring journey to spread wellbeing and get civically engaged through art. 

Why is this issue so important to you? 

This issue is important to me because it brings me a lot of joy to contribute to society. When we get involved in the community, the people who are affected are always very grateful and happy for the impact we gave. They might be happy and pass it along to other people. It is like a chain reaction. We always want everyone to feel this way – whether it’s because of us, or not. 

What inspires you to volunteer? 

My mom inspires me to volunteer. She does these wonderful events for philanthropy and getting involved in the community. When I was 4 years old, my mom did these painting workshops for seniors in memory care units, and I was volunteering and I had a lot of fun spending time with them, offering love and companionship. 

What are your long-term plans or goals for your organization? 

A long-term goal for my organization is to give everyone access to art. I believe that art is a driving force that can help people express their feelings and emotions, their passions, and their cultures and values. We want everyone, even the people in different circumstances than us, to be able to access art. 

What has been the most rewarding part of your work? 

The most rewarding part of my work is the number of lives and people we impacted in the time and place of which the members of Pastel Souls were volunteering in. It brings me and my team a lot of joy when the people we affected are grateful for what we have done to support them. 

What have you learned through your experiences as a volunteer? 

Through my experience as a volunteer, I have learned that it is important to get involved. If nobody contributes to the community, people who may be underserved wouldn’t have the resources they need to live a healthy life. 

Tell us about your partnerships, programs or events you are most excited about. 

I am most excited about the Unity Project happening this year. This project is where all the passionate members of Pastel Souls come together to do a project, which we donate to different places and organizations. We are partnering up with Expressions Arts, a nonprofit organization to do this event. This year, we are doing a wall mural project for Redmond Elementary. 

Why is it important for others to get involved with causes they care about? 

It is important for others to get involved with causes they care about because everyone should do what they are most passionate about. The people who you partner with when you do your event also get affected in a way that can help them. 

What do you want people to learn from your story? 

Something I want people to learn from my story is that everyone should follow their passion. When I followed my passion for art, it led me to become the kind and caring person that I am now. If you follow your passion, you can make great things happen. 

Do you want to make a difference in your community like Zoya? Find local volunteer opportunities.