The artists work on self-guided projects and pay a nominal fee ($10 for three hours) which is also available on a sliding scale so cost is never a barrier for someone who wants to make art. TCA just received non-profit status about eight months ago and will be devoting more efforts to fundraising and grant writing as they look to become more independent from Bridges Community Support Services, the program that helped them get their start.
Nate shared that the artists are very serious and come in with clear ideas about what they want to work on. "They have a vision," he said. "We have done some artist lead workshops in the past, but after a while our clients weren't really interested. They want to work on their own thing."
As an artist, a sister to a developmentally disabled brother, and someone who has had the opportunity to tour Creative Growth, one of the pioneering arts program for adults with cognitive and physical disabilities, seeing TCA in action was a real thrill. Nate was sincere, the artists were serious, and the program seems both well organized and well intentioned with a real focus on the encouraging and supporting the self-expression of the artists. If you haven't been, I highly encourage you to visit. And this Friday, October 5, is the opening reception for their Winter Exhibition at Union Avenue Christian Church.
To see more artwork, visit TCA's flickr photostream.
Melelani Perry, artist and bellydancer. Melelani is a profilc collage artist and recently displayed her work at the juried Art Outside Festival.
Pauline MacDonald was working diligently on a landscape.
Dave Walter is a regular artist at Turner Art Center.
Nate Larson, Executive Director, with one of several portraits he has received from TCA artists. What an awesome gift!
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