Actors Sophia Bush and Austin Nichols may be stars to the viewers of One Tree Hill, but to them, the real stars are the children of The Art of Elysium organization.
Bush and Nichols stepped out in Beverly Hills Saturday night for the third annual black-tie gala for the non-profit Art of Elysium charity, where the TV duo both emphasized to me the significance of this special organization that encourages Hollywood talent to voluntarily contribute their art to children with serious medical conditions.

“This group of people changed my life”, said Bush. “I’ve always thought that kids were so amazing, their spirit is undeniably magical. But to be able to be in a group of people like this, to be able to give your time, to be able to share your art, …bring joy back to people, particularly young people who’ve been through something unfortunate..” , said the 27-year-old beauty.

Nichols echoed his co-star’s beliefs on the invaluable benefits that come from working with the kids of The Art of Elysium.“I believe in the healing power of the arts and whenever anyone can bring art into anyone’s life, it’s a special thing”, said Nichols, who like Bush believes it’s all the more special to share what they do with kids who need a lift every now and then. “If someone is sick and has a more tough time than other people, it’s an incredible healing medium”,he said.

Art of Elysium, founded in 1997 by Jennifer Howell, provides workshops for kids emphasizing on the arts and creativity.

“I’m just very fortunate that Jennifer Howell came into my life”, said Bush, who insisted what she gains from this group of young individuals is just as special as what she gives if not more. “…if anybody thinks that these kids don’t give back to us, they’re out of their minds because they’re just magical people and every workshop that I go to I think it can never get better, and the next one does..”, said Bush who regularly visits the children in the Los Angeles hospitals when she’s not filming One Tree Hill in Wilmington, NC.

Similar to Bush in her love for the special involvement with the kids of The Art of Elysium was the special honoree of the night, actress Kirsten Dunst. “It’s the most interactive charity I’ve dealt with”, said Dunst who received The Spirit of Elysium award at the gala. “It’s very hands on..like a whole family”, she said.

Something else which seemed like a family affair and led Bush and Nichols to further glow on this special night was talk of their part of the USO Tour they did over Thanksgiving.
“It was amazing. Just unbelievable”, said Bush, who with Nichols visited with the service members and the families of the Air Force Bases of Ramstein,Germany and Izmir, Turkey. “I think the most important thing to remember is no matter what side of the political spectrum you fall on, whether you support the war or not, we all have to support our troops. They’re the most incredible men and women…what they sacrifice for the rest of us is unlike anything I’ve ever seen”, Bush said.

Nichols too had the same memorable experience from the tour. “It was incredible..we met airmen for days and days, kids and wives, and it was really cool. It was a great Thanksgiving”, he said.

And when I noted to Bush the generosity of the actress to spend her Thanksgiving holiday giving back to others; she was quick to note that the generosity was in fact on the part of the service men. “They were generous to let us come”, said Bush. “It was something I really can’t wait to do again”.

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