On Friday, Feb. 1, the Natasha Love Foundation will honor eight Rhode Islanders for their dedication to promoting peace and non-violence through the various forms of art at their annual Inspiration of Love Youth Artist and Leadership Recognition Ceremony.

The Natasha Love Foundation was created in response to the death of Natasha Gonsalves, who was stabbed to death at the age of 18. According to the foundation’s website, their mission is to help youth in the community “resolve conflict, cultivate understanding and discipline through the arts using a creative process that will inspire love, peace, unity, and awareness.”

Gonsalves’ mother Rebecca Flores created the foundation to honor her daughter. The awards given out at the event represent Natasha’s talents, what she stood for and what she believed in.

“Natasha’s passion, and never losing sight of her dreams, is why I decided to keep her legacy alive,” Flores said. “I founded the organization that would reflect and describe all that Natasha stood for. Her gifts, talents, spirit and essence were utilized to inspire and empower young women and men in a healthy manner; using their creativity as a therapeutic tool.”

Senior Executive Advisor for the foundation, John Pagliarini of Warwick will co-host the event alongside Barbara Morse Silva, news anchor at NBC 10.

Pagliarini’s father co-founded the Cranston Arts Council in the 1980’s. He explained that Flores and others have recently revived it. Pagliarini sees the ceremony as a way of keeping his father’s legacy alive.

“My dad was a leader in the community in supporting and promoting the arts, and he was a tireless advocate for the visual arts and any form of creativity,” Pagliarini said. “Trying to help people with developmental disabilities who can use the arts as a means to express themselves, I’m very honored to be a part of that.”

Five of the awards will be given to Rhode Island high school students. Jadelyn Santos, who attends Juanita Sanchez High School in Providence, will be receiving the Inspiration of Love Leadership Award, which honors an individual who is always willing to help others regardless of the adversities the face; America Ordonez-Pineda, who attends Blackstone Academy Charter School in Pawtucket, will be receiving the Love Visual Art Award for her demonstrations of compassion towards others while encouraging self-worth; Lorraine Quinter, who attends Central Falls High School in Central Falls, will receive the Peace Theatre/Poetry/Song Award, which recognizes an outspoken individual who instills confidence and hope in others; Dalila Fabian, who attends Cranston High School East in Cranston, will receive the Unity Dance Award for her education of unity in others through dance; and Sany Ramirez, who attends the Trinity Academy for Performing Arts in Providence, will be receiving the Awareness Music Award for his devotion to increasing awareness for social justice issues through education and music.

The other three awards will be given to community members. Barnaby Evans will receive the Thomas McGovern Humanitarian Community service award for his award-winning WaterFire sculpture along the rivers in downtown Providence; Rebecca Boss will receive the Natasha Love visionary award for her work in the addiction treatment field; and Alexander O’Neill of Cranston will receive the Youth Respect Award for his promotion of an earnest attitude, and behaviors that acknowledge the importance of human dignity.

“The foundation was born out of the love for what Natasha stood for, believed in and her talents,” Flores said. “These categories are what make up the five chosen students for the awards, using visual art, poetry, dance, and music, that will induce others to look at or focus on oneself and the problems in their communities and will educate others on the benefits and methods of using art and the creative process to steer teens on a positive path away from teen violence.”

Flores explained that the event also has the support of 12 Rhode Island State officials, including Speaker of the House Nicholas Mattiello, Cranston Mayor Allan Fung and Providence Mayor Jorge O. Elorza. Students selected also receive a certificate from the foundation, a letter of recommendation to the college of their choice and financial support until the age of 24 as long as they continue to pursue their dream in the arts through college.

Pagliarini also sees the importance of appreciating young citizens for their undertakings in making a difference.

“There is an avenue to freeing themselves from what may be very adverse situations and I think we all need to wrap our arms around that and support that,” Pagliarini said. “It’s about trying to improve their lives and see a better path forward.”

The event will be held at the Crowne Plaza in Warwick and will take place from 6:30 p.m. until midnight. Tickets are $60 and can be purchased on the foundations website or by calling 935- 4960.