RSS
Home
Art at Casa Esperanza
Print
Email
RSS
Subscribe
Samantha Johnston, Travelling, 2008, 11"x14"
While everyone is scrambling this month finding things to give as holiday gifts, local artists give the gift of their artwork all year round through an amazing organization here in Boston called The Art Connection. The Art Connection is a nonprofit organization that expands public access to visual art by placing the work of donor artists and collectors on the walls of community service organizations. Since its inception in 1995, this unique ‘art gifting’ program has supported 260 community agencies in their personal selection of more than 3,900 works of art by 250 artists and collectors. Within these healing environments, the original works of art provide welcome opportunities for reflection, inspiration, comfort, and hope. The Art connection was founded by artist Fay Chandler and is operated by a small but dedicated group of three: Jim McDonald,Tova Speter and Sarah Shallbetter
On December 9th an event was held at an Art Connection recipient agency called Casa Esperanza, which was established in 1984 as a grassroots response to the substance abuse crisis in the Latino community. With the mission of helping people to recover from alcoholism and drug addiction, gain the skills they need to be self sufficient, and to repair and strengthen families torn apart by addiction, Casa Esperanza operates numerous treatment facilities including a residential treatment facility for 25 men, a residential treatment facility for 20 women and their children, 23 unites of Supportive Housing, and a Relapse Prevention and Outpatient Services program providing aftercare services for individuals and families in recovery.
Casa Esperanza clients joined with staff, artists, and representatives from The Art Connection to celebrate their new installation of original art. The group toured the 25 artworks that were donated by local artists and shared reflections on the process of selecting art and the difference the art has made in their lives. Tova Speter shared her experience at this special event with me, and I found it so inspiring that I am sharing it with you…
Increasing their clients’ exposure to original artwork will help Casa Esperanza increase a sense of community and further develop a home-like environment while helping serve as a springboard to open the lines of communication, especially for those families who are in the process of reunifying with children or estranged relatives. Ricardo Quiroga, the executive director of Casa Esperanza, noted his thanks for the “generous contribution of artwork that gives us a level of sophistication in addition to the color and beauty.”
Francisco, a client in the men’s program and artist himself, spoke about the comfort and confidence that the art provides. “I don’t know what to say other than to say that everything has changed. You don’t just look at art once. You look at it again and again and can see something new each time. You can feel different emotions each time you look at it. It helps me calm down here… We really appreciate it.”
Two female clients from the Latinas y Niños program shared their feelings about a particularly favorite artwork, a monoprint by artist Debra Olin entitled “Counting on Miracles.” One shared that she sees a woman in a field during the spring, just as the season is about to transition to summer. “The transition of the season is like the growth of a woman and a woman’s happiness.” Another mentioned that this artwork brings out memories and happiness. “It reminds me of my grandmother and it makes me so happy. I can sit and look at it and meditate on it and be happy.”
The acquisition of the new artworks inspired a week long clean up effort in which staff and clients worked together to clean up and repaint walls to give the art a nicer background and show more respect for their own home environment. Diliana DeJesus, Development and Communications Manager at Casa Esperanza praised The Art Connection’s process that requires both clients and staff to participate in the selection of artwork that is most meaningful to them. “Current clients and graduates participated in the selection to have a voice in shaping their environment.” That empowerment of the clients was agreed upon by Jessica Cohen, Operations Manager at Casa Esperanza, who talked about the relationship between art and home. “When you put together your home – you get to decide on the artwork and create your space. The clients’ involvement in the process of selecting the artwork allowed them to feel like this is their home.”
Luana Morales, program director at the Latinas y Niños program respects the collaborative nature of The Art Connection process and impact of the artwork. “The art makes the space feel like a home. It provides opportunity for the clients to connect with their inner emotions. They can meditate, sketch, or just sit and enjoy the new artwork and are very grateful for this wonderful addition to their home.” Luana also served as translator for the evening, making sure that the Spanish speaking guests understood what was being said. Sarah Shallbetter, program coordinator at The Art Connection smiled as she said, “Bueno! I’ve never attended a bilingual art reception at an agency before!”
Faith Hyde, a donating artist who was in attendance at the event marveled at the great work being done at Casa Esperanza, and expressed her delight that her artwork was selected by such a worthwhile organization. “I’m thrilled that my artwork is here. It’s better than being in a fancy gallery on Newbury Street because it’s helping people here and giving them brightness in their life to encourage them. I think I get as much happiness out of giving the work than they probably do receiving it.” Faith has attended numerous agency receptions over the past few years and remarked, “It’s humbling to go out to these spaces and see the beauty of the art and the spirit of the people.” She also touched upon the feeling of kindness, warmth, and respect that pervaded the space, a sentiment picked up by Jim McDonald, the executive director of The Art Connection:
“What an incredibly warm environment, full of passionate and caring staff and happy program participants. To hear Francisco, artist and program participant, talk about the new art collection – how meaningful it is to have this art on site, and how grateful he is that our artists have provided this work for them to choose – is perfect validation for what we do each day at The Art Connection.”
If you would like to learn more about The Art Connection, donate your artwork through their gifting program, register as a recipient agency, or contribute financially to help their unique program continue, please visit their web site: http://www.theartconnection.org/
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Event photo above: (left to right) Jessica Cohen (operations manager at Casa Esperanza), Diliana DeJesus (development and communications manager at Casa Esperanza), Jim McDonald (executive director of The Art Connection), Francisco (client at Casa Esperanza).
Artwork above: Debra Olin, Counting on Miracles, Monoprint and thread, 1994
Related Articles:
Add a Comment
