The Turchin Center’s arts and education outreach programs connect the university arts resources to a diverse audience of students, arts patrons, teachers and learners. There are many “pieces of the puzzle” of the Turchin’s outreach programs and each piece strengthens community participation in the arts by creating an environment in which individuals of all ages experience the power and excitement of creating art.
This exhibition celebrates the process of art making and of free play that participants experience when they respond to color, texture, and design in the world around them. According to Pegge Laine, Outreach Coordinator, “When participants let go of the voice that says ‘but I am not an artist’ they allow their creative spirits to soar.”
Participating outreach groups
Participating outreach groups include the following:
- Hidden Talents features the collage, alcohol inks and painting of adults from the historic Junaluska Community. They have come together through art, and now share with one another, encouragement and support while relieving stress and promoting healing.
- Beyond our Walls highlights the art of disabled adults from Watauga Opportunities. They support and encourage one another as they create work from the heart and strengthen self-esteem through each project completed.
- Healing Artsoffers opportunities for homeless children and adults at the Hospitality House and Raven Rock. This provides a safe haven and creative play while creating small art projects to taken with them during their journeys.
- The Artist Within is a 6-week expressive arts program for third and fourth graders and focuses on self-esteem, goal setting and problem solving which allows them to identify and express their emotions. This program is sponsored in part by Blue Ridge Electric Membership Cooperative.
- WYN with Art allows adolescents in the Western Youth Network, a relaxed atmosphere to express their feelings, concerns and hope for the future through art.
- Inkalicious is an open studio experience for community members and Appalachian students to explore the magic of alcohol inks.
- Blazing Easels allows students age 7-12 an opportunity to create masterpieces while learning about art and artists of different cultures.
The “Pieces of the Puzzle: Community Outreach” exhibition is sponsored in part by Appalachian Home Care.
“There are many pieces of the puzzle, many aspects of the Educational Outreach Programs at the Turchin Center for Visual Arts. Each piece strengthens community participation in the arts by creating an environment in which individuals of all ages experience the power and excitement of creating art in community. The community outreach exhibit celebrates the process of art making, of free play that participants experience when they respond to color, texture, and design in the world around them. Experience what happens when participants let go of the voice that says ‘but I am not an artist’ and allow their creative spirits to soar.”
– Pegge Laine