Hamilton, Ohio
Emily saw the vultures circle over the dying town, the brown river still. But she knew a particular place in this town where life was lighting up like the sun.
For those of us who live in the bubble around Princeton, New Jersey, we see failing cities on the news, and tell ourselves we understand, but we don't until we visit one for a few days, spending time with the locals. Globalization took most of Hamilton, Ohio's industries. We were told the huge statue of Alexander Hamilton in the town center was hit by a car and toppled over, others said it simply required repair. Either way, Alexander Hamilton, champion of capitalism, stands like a statue in the mild pall that permeates the city that bears his name, vultures circling him like a high altitude halo.
So of course you'd think this would be the most unlikely of all places in the world for A.R.T. to gain entree to an organization ready to raise a serious A.R.T. program, right? Wrong.
Life's values come from inside us, so the Liberty Center, which we have been instructed to refer to as: Butler County Board of Developmental Disabilities & InsideOut Studio, -that's a mouthful- this group, being full of life, impervious to the surrender to doom and gloom, with mid-western directness, optimism, and determination linked with A.R.T. in a way few other sites have.
They worked to have everything totally together before Emily and I landed in Cincinnati. The studio space was excellent. And the artists? One after the other engaging the A.R.T. systems with gusto. One of the new artists, waiting out the wild applause for her first finished painting, hissed under her breath, "I told you I was going to rock it."
Let's riff through direct quotes from those who were in the studio those dynamic two days. Read through them all so you get the feel for what it is like when A.R.T. helps raise a new program.
- "The Artist's are free. No limits." - Ken Snouffer, tracker.
- "This is the first time, in a long time, that I have been spiritually moved by art." – Mickey Athey, tracker.
- “Watching Brandi create her painting moved me to tears.” - Debbie Gulley.
- ”A.R.T. is REAL. It is a process that allows individuals free choice to explore and create their own art. It is not hand over hand techniques…it is not created by the tracker…it is not “fixed up” art. A.R.T. is about empowering and giving opportunities to individuals that aren’t usually given the chance…because of their physical disability. Watch the process – look at the art… you will know through the artist’s pride – that it is their creation!” - Tanya Coffey, Program Services Administrator.
- “Being present to witness individuals having the opportunity to truly express oneself was a blessed experience.” - Jessica Schubert, Habilitation Coordinator.
- “The smile on Zack’s face was worth it all.” - Connie Mehlman.
- “Brandy is someone that up until this moment, has had no opportunities within our art studio to explore her own interests in art. During this process, I personally saw Brandy’s eyes open to a new world in front of her!” - Tanya Coffey, Program Services Administrator.
- “I am an artist!”- Zack G., artist.
- “It was truly touching and poignant when the individual artist connected the laser technology with the canvas.” - Sherry Dillon.
- “The colors in Zack’s painting really pop. I love it!” - Jacob Gibson, artist Zack’s brother.
- “It was exciting to see individuals who had never had an opportunity to paint before get the chance to express themselves so creatively. The vibe walking into the art room was creative, supportive and electric…Being present to witness individuals having the opportunity to truly express oneself was a blessed experience.” - Lee Ann Fogle.
- “We watched Zack grow up in an hour! He was empowered by his first experience in the art studio. He went from asking for approval of his decisions…to authoritatively making decisions regarding his creation! When he said NO – he meant no. When he said stop – he meant stop. His tracker respected his directives.” - Tanya Coffey, Program Services Administrator.
- “I did that - WOW - A whole new world!” – Diane M., artist.
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