Willow Glen Resident

Community

Photograph by Mayra Flores De Marcotte

Touch of Art: Alchemy Hair Studio customers (from left) Karina Mitchell, Ashlyn Vincent and Alina Mitchell had henna tattoos painted on to their hands. The event helped raise money for the Second Harvest Bank.

Temporary body art helps ease permanent hunger problems

By Mayra Flores De Marcotte

Intricate designs of mahogany flowers, swirls and paisleys adorn the skin of customers at Alchemy Hair Studio.

Darcy Vasudev, artistic director of the Henna Lounge in San Francisco, painted the ornate henna designs this month as part of a fundraiser. Twenty percent of the proceeds will go to Second Harvest Food Bank, with the Willow Glen hair studio matching the funds to sweeten the pot.

"It's important to be genuine and to give back to the community we serve," salon owner Sherry McGuire said. "This fundraiser is just another reminder for our community to be dynamic during the holiday season."

This was the salon's first attempt to raise money using the ancient tradition of applying henna, a form of temporary body art that lasts for several weeks, McGuire said.

The henna fundraising idea came to McGuire after the positive response her customers had to the henna tattooing during the salon's grand reopening celebration in August.

"People can walk away with a jewel and be reminded of our event," McGuire said.

Vasudev painted ornate designs on customers during the salon's reopening and was such a hit that McGuire asked her to return.

At the November fundraiser, many participants were regular customers at the hair studio. Kevina Finn-Vincent has been getting her hair cut at the studio for five years. She chose a henna pattern on the palm of her hand.

"Sher is always coming up with good ideas on giving back," Finn-Vincent said of Alchemy's owner. "This was a good way to raise money for Thanksgiving."

The idea to use henna as a fundraising vehicle was an interesting idea, said Farah Hasan, another regular at the salon. She liked the way it combined giving back with the exploration of different cultures.

"It's a unique event, and the henna designs look beautiful," Hasan said.

McGuire said she plans to have henna fundraisers every 60 days, depending on community support, and the proceeds will continue to benefit Second Harvest Food Bank.

For more information, contact Sherry McGuire at 408.293.3494 or visit www. alchemyhairstudio.com.