On Monday, the paint will remain in the jars and the brushes will stay tucked away.
Since March 2004, more than a hundred artists, some simply looking for a place to draw, paint and sculpt, but many, too, who are disabled, homeless, mentally or emotionally challenged, have been gathering each afternoon at the Franciscan Center?s group studio at 101 W. 23rd St. in Baltimore.
Recently, however, the program lost its funding, said Carolyn Miles, an administrator at the outreach ministry in lower Charles Village. On Thursday evening, art instructor Terry Van Tassel organized a closing reception, and then met with her regular students for the last time.
“Most of these people haven?t been in an art class since they were in junior or senior high school,” said Tassel, who also does art therapy at the Franciscan Center. “And, as you can see, many have blossomed into sophisticated artists.
“Now we?re looking for a new space.”
Tassel said the program has benefited from Maryland Institute College of Art student interns over the years and a diverse mix of artists.
“Many of the people have been involved since it?s inception and have built lasting relationships here,” Tassel said.
Sylvia Hoke, 46, has been coming to studio since it began, and recently sculpted a fallen papier-mâché blackbird ? an expression of disappointment in the end of the program.
“Terry taught me how to bring my emotions out and use them in art,” said Hoke, who also has portrait of a dark-skinned nun, her friend Sister Linda, floating in a white veil, hanging on one of the walls. “That?s when my drawing and painting and everything took off.”
Alicia Bailey, 48, a recovering addict, said water-coloring helps her “stay peaceful.”
James Tyler, 56, who has attending the classes since he got out of the Jessup penitentiary two years ago, also credits the studio program with helping him remain clean and sober.
Tyrone Weeden, 21, said his pastel drawing helps keep his depression at bay. For unemployed Victor Green, the room, tools and supplies to sculpt, give him something to look forward to everyday.
Charles Edwards, 57, lives nearby and has been a regular since the program started.
“I like to talk about life and deal with spiritual things in my art,” said Edwards, whose painting of a young boy peering out of a row-house window strikes a universal chord.
Keith Crawford, 52, a skilled illustrator, only started coming last week, but has been prolific.
“I?m homeless; I hate to say,” Crawford said. “I used to make money drawing in the past, but now sometimes months go by when I don?t draw anything. It?s been a long time since I had a place of my own or a space to come and do this.”
More info
For more information, e-mail Terry Van Tassel at [email protected] or visit the programs Web site at
www.expressyourselfstudio.org
