RSSSite allows parents to take children's artwork off the fridge and put it online
RefrigeratorArtist.com gives kids' artwork an online home
Parents who love to show off their budding Rembrandt's work now have a new option for sharing art online.
Reston-based RefrigeratorArtist.com allows parents to create a digital archive of their children's artwork and share the images with family and friends via e-mail, social networking Web sites and within the RefrigeratorArtist site.
"It was really just a random idea that came to us," said Jennifer LaFollette, who launched RefrigeratorArtist in October with her husband, Jason, and their friend, Lenny Pham. "I'm 31 years old and my mom still has artwork that I did when I was a kid, but there was probably a lot more that wasn't saved."
Parents upload photos of their child's work to a gallery on the site. Friends and relatives, whether they want to create their own art galleries or not, can connect with each other on the site by labeling each other as "friends," allowing that person to view a particular child's gallery. Within the gallery, there are options to share the image on Facebook or e-mail it to people.
"That's basically where we live these days -- is online -- especially younger parents," LaFollette said.
The site has about 200 members so far, recruited through word of mouth and minimal promotion via Google ads.
Another option is to have artwork printed on mugs, T-shirts or other items as a gift idea. In addition to a limited amount of advertising on the site, selling the personalized items is the main way LaFollette expects the site will generate revenue.
Once the site is profitable, a portion of profits will be donated to arts programs for children, LaFollette said.
The site also conducts a monthly art contest. Members vote on the winning piece of art and the winner will receive $400 in U.S. Savings Bonds.
Jennifer LaFollette, who has a degree in English and a background in graphic design, is working on the site full time. Jason LaFollette and Pham, a Fairfax resident, handle the technical side of RefrigeratorArtist, but also run another business.
Jennifer LaFollette said the trio did think twice about starting a new business in a depressed economy, but they decided to forge ahead anyway.
"It definitely doesn't feel like the safest time. For us at this time in our lives it all came together ... we decided we would give it a shot," she said.