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.” The TCVA gratefully acknowledges Hope and Hector Estepan for their sponsorship of this exhibition.
Pieces of the Puzzle in the Community Gallery
Participating outreach groups
Participating outreach groups include the following:
- Hidden Talents: Emerging Artists of Junaluska features clay, alcohol inks and painting of the women of the African American 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 Arts offers opportunities for homeless children and adults at the Hospitality House and Rock Haven. The program provides a safe haven and creative play while making something special to keep with them as they journey through life.
- The Artist Within is a six-week expressive arts program for third and fourth graders and focuses on self-esteem, community, problem solving and expressing emotions through art experiences. This program is sponsored in part by Blue Ridge Electric Membership Cooperative.
- WYN with Art serves adolescents in the Western Youth Network, in a relaxed environment to build character and confidence through positive role models and skill development so that participants can reach their full potential.
- Inkalicious is an ongoing open studio experience for community members and Appalachian students to explore the magic of alcohol inks.
- Blazing Easels allows young artists age 7-12 an opportunity to explore elements such as line, shape, colors, texture and two and three-dimensional form.
- Creative Peacemakers provides opportunity for self-expression through art and provides a safe place to share thoughts and feelings at Bradford Park.
- Art, Books and Children (ABC) was a partnership with the Appalachian Regional Library system to deliver art supplies and books to children at libraries in Ashe, Watauga and Wilkes counties. Children participated in art making and story-time.
- Western Clay Guild: The Crack Pots, a program of the Western Watauga Community Center, has embraced members of the Junaluska community and is mentoring them in their journey with clay. Materials used in this program are provided through the support of Appalachian Home Care.
- Find Your Art: Appalachian Student Outreach offers free arts programming for all Appalachian students. Workshops include open studio, Inkalicious: Alcohol Inks, and a step-by-step paint night class. All experience levels are welcome – all that is required is a willingness to allow the experience and the materials to inspire!
- Trash to Treasure provided community members the opportunity to create art during two workshops led by Barbara Hardy and Bob Ray, the artists from the exhibition Circles of Influence. Community members created inspiring works of art from found objects including clean materials typically deposited in trash and recycling bins. Funded by a grant from the National Endowment of the Arts?