Posted on Apr 30, 2014 in
FEATURES
Texana clients and ARTreach volunteers pose in front of “Texana Sunshine,” a mural designed by ARTreach artist Elizabeth Linder and painted by Texana clients and ARTreach volunteers. Pictured are artists Jimmy Broomfield, Wayne Heitman, Chris Kruppa, Aaron Lindsey, Tyrone Fredrick, Curt Moore, Jill Palacios, Yasmine Scott, Darrell Richard, Rafika Milledge, Debra Taylor, Giovanny Alcantara, Michael Trent, Dinora Davalos, Micah Koser, Elizabeth Linder, Amy Crane, Vonda Drees, Juan Opsina and Melba Lee. Photo by www.artreachtexas.org.
With a paintbrush in hand and a brow furrowed with focus, Texana client Amy Crane saturates the broad canvas with green paint. A majestic tree begins to take shape through Crane’s careful application of paint.
As a client of Texana’s Fort Bend Center, Crane is a beneficiary of a partnership forged between ARTreach and Texana. The first ARTreach project with Texana Center included the creation of a twenty by nine foot mural – the largest mural ever created by ART-
reach artists and volunteers. Entitled “Texana Sunshine,” the mural features a nature scene filled with the bold colors of the sun, purple hills and periwinkle streams, not to mention flowers and trees that rise off the canvass with a three dimensional affect. Equally captivating as the art were the emotions and excitement stirred within the Texana clients.
As a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that facilitates mentoring and art-related activities for at-risk and underserved groups including the developmentally disabled, ARTreach and Texana Center were ideally matched. Texana Center provides behavioral healthcare and developmental disabilities services to residents of a six county area that includes Austin, Colorado, Fort Bend, Matagorda, Waller and Wharton Counties.
Thanks to a grant provided by the Texas Commission on the Arts, Texana Center was able to utilize ARTreach artists and volunteers for an unforgettable art experience for their clients. Elizabeth Linder, the lead artist who designed the framework for the mural, sought the direction of Texana Center clients before putting together the base of the painting. She said the uninhibited delight of the clients served as a great reward for the time and work she and other ARTreach volunteers put into the mural.
Texana Center Community Relations Manager and Volunteer Coordinator Andi Wallis said ARTreach volunteers were able to explain art in a way their clients could understand. Moreover, Wallis was delighted that the project gave Texana clients an opportunity to hone in on their creative abilities. “This project provided an opportunity for our higher functioning clients to create a piece of art that will hang in our sensory room where our more profoundly disabled clients are treated,” Wallis said.
The mural, which was unveiled during a ceremony on March 28th, has become a source of pride for the Texana clients. Debra Taylor, a Texana client who also works for the organization, said the ARTreach volunteers showed her how to paint and then gave her a paint brush of her very own. “I feel proud that I helped create this mural,” Taylor said. “I also liked the volunteers from ARTreach. We did a good job.”
The mentoring that occurred between the ARTreach volunteers and Texana clients was uniquely transformational. Marla Ward, ARTreach Volunteer Director, worked closely with many of the Texana clients showing them different brush strokes and where to apply paint to the canvass. “The Texana clients really got into it!” Ward said excitedly. “This mural really was a team effort. It would never have gotten done without everyone’s help.”
Albert Gonzales, a Texana client who loves painting, was thrilled by the experience of meeting new people. Rafika Milledge, also a client of Texana, said the volunteers provided guidance and taught her about art. “I love the different textures, and this mural just makes me happy. The volunteers gave us so many suggestions,” Milledge said.
Linder said art really is therapeutic and creating a mural develops skills such as patience, responsibility, teamwork and seeing a project through to the end. Moreover, Linder encourages others to volunteer and grow with ART-
reach. “If you enjoy color, nature and relationships with people, ARTreach is a great outlet. You get as much out of the experience as you give,” Linder said.
During the unveiling ceremony, a particularly touching moment occurred when several of the immobile Texana clients were wheeled into the sensory room. Mary Wentz, a Texana Center employee who works with this group, was overjoyed when her clients looked up at the mural. She said her clients never look up, but the mural gave them a reason to lift their gaze.
Crane, who also serves as President Elect for the Exchange Club of Rosenberg, said the mural inspired her and she believes it can inspire others. “We need to bring more light into the world,” Crane said. “I have a bright personality, and I love bright colors. I hope others see this mural and feel cheerful.”
