ArtThread Foundation: Creativity for a cause

ArtThread's Colors of Care™ program begins at Superior Residences in Ft. Myers

The ArtThread Foundation is launching their Colors of Care program at Superior Residences in Ft. Myers, Florida. Colors of Care is ArtThread’s innovative, experiential arts program that combines online technology, hands-on art-making, dedicated creativity mentors, and comprehensive training into a unified approach that improves quality of life for residents in assisted living and memory care facilities, and their families.

This pilot program at Superior Residences Health Park Fort Myers will include art-making sessions with residents of this memory care facility and training for their staff, along with direct workshops for family members. ArtThread faculty will  work with the families, showing them how  to use the  universal language of art to maintain a meaningful connection with their resident family members. ArtThread’s online technology allows this to happen no matter where the family is, providing effective support for both the family members and their loved one. 

“We are thrilled to be working with the team at ArtThread,” said Jenny Bellows, Executive Director of the Superior Residences facility in Ft. Myers. “We are seeing increased engagement and self-awareness in the residents who participate in the art-making sessions. The Colors of Care program offers Superior Residences and a new model that uses creativity and self-expression to raise the bar for quality in memory care.”

Michael DeWeese, Director of Life Enrichment in Ft. Myers, works hand-over-hand with the residents to help them get started on using the ArtThread art-making tools.  In the pictures at right and below he is working with a resident who already has a piece of her ArtThread art framed and sitting on the desk. 

The staff at Superior Residences will team up with ArtThread to provide outreach to the community as a way of both sharing creative experiences and providing respite to community caregivers.  These “Caring for the Caregivers” sessions will introduce the program to the Ft. Myers community, and give families a chance to see the Colors of Care program in action. 

In addition to ArtThread’s faculty, members of its StreetTeam will have an opportunity to participate in the workshop sessions at Superior Residences. StreetTeam is an ArtThread program that takes young people who are trained in using ArtThread software and places them in art-making workshops where they can share their skills and earn an income as ArtThread art mentors. 

Some of these StreetTeam students will come from ArtThread’s partnership with Project 10: Transition Education Network, a program that serves transitioning students with disabilities in Florida public schools. Placing these students with elders creates a unique opportunity for cross-generational skill sharing and communication.

“ArtThread’s integrated approach is perfect for what we do here,” said Bellows. “We like to nurture moments of creativity because those moments, those small victories add smiles to our residents’ lives. ArtThread’s program allows those moments to expand throughout our facility and beyond into families homes and the entire community.” 

Art (and art-making sessions) by residents will be streamed online via the ArtThread Interactive Online Gallery, and Superior Residences is installing video screens and computers throughout their facility to allow everyone to participate and view the art, which will also be used as way-finding markers to help residents get around more easily.

 

This new partnership expands the growing list of organizations that make use of ArtThread’s technology and programs – all with a common goal of improving quality of life for people impacted by illness, physical limitations, or social consequence.

 

About Superior Residences: Superior Residences at Health Park in Ft. Myers is a special memory care community for those with Alzheimer's Disease and other Dementia related illnesses. They work to preserve capabilities while protecting the dignity of each resident. Caring for the special needs of individuals with Alzheimer's, Parkinson's Disease and other dementia related illnesses requires an extraordinary balance of professionalism and sensitivity. Superior Residences management philosophy promotes innovation and encourages creativity so everyone can "Live the moment...Love the moment."

 

ARTWorks Exhibit at Frost Museum features ArtThread art made by students in Miami-Dade art therapy program

Last week Jay and I had the great privilege of attending the gallery opening of the Miami-Dade County Public Schools Clinical Art Therapy Department's "ARTWorks" exhibit, at the Frost Museum. We were stunned by the fantastic work being done as part of this art therapy program - both the wonderful creativity of the students, and the stellar programming and support provided by the staff of art therapists. 

 

The exhibit centered around the theme "The Art of Relationship Building: challenging students to create a visual narrative on paper panels which are hung together to create a quilt. By retelling their story the students discover how their relationships have affected them while exploring and reconciling emotional conflicts." 

Here's the backstory on this one: in 2009 ArtThread's faculty did a series of training sessions throughout Florida, as part of the Project 10: Transition Education Network program. The goal was to train 100 teachers, therapists, and counselors to use our Work of Art program with transitioning students with disabilities in Florida public schools. The Miami training session was especially notable - we had no power or internet when the class began, so we had to do a major improv until the class was moved to a different location.

 

Fast forward to today, and we find the art therapists we trained, lead by Craig Seigel and Dr. Patricia Isis, have integrated the Work of Art program into their art therapy program, and these students have become experts in using Splash!, ArtThread's online, no-fail, big-fun artmaking tool.

The exhibit was truly amazing - the students used their moments of creativity to explore some deep emotions, and they got a taste of how making art can become a vital opportunity for processing life's most challenging experiences. It was all there on the walls - the tough times and the victories - all in the language of art. 

Hung in the beautiful Frost Museum on the campus of Florida International University, and coordinated by therapists Leah Guzman and Yehoshua Ventura, each piece was accompanied by statements from the artist and the therapist, and the combination of the words and the art gave us an incredible window into the hearts and minds of these talented kids - many of whom are faced with emotional and behavioral challenges. 

 

 

For Jay and me it was an epiphany - a moment that helped to validate our hard work, and the very existence of the ArtThread Foundation. We saw it happening before our eyes - people being creative, coming together and feeling better - this is the work of the ArtThread Foundation!

We look forward to more collaboration with the Miami-Dade Art Therapy team, and with all our wonderful partners.

You can see this art and many other pieces on the Project 10/ArtThread Gallery.

 

 Here are a couple of the many pieces, with the artist and therapist statements:

 

Amazing color here:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Art, Dance, and Music on Stage Together

We are always amazed at the innovative ways our partners find to use ArtThread's art making tools. VSA Florida artist and National Dance Week delegate Anna Preston was the driving force behind the collaborative and mixed media event called A Dance For Everyone.

 

 This National Dance Week 2011 celebration included a mixed bill dance concert featuring local and professional dance troupes as they come together to support VSAFL, the state organization on arts and disability. Special guests included Karen Peterson and Dancers, a professional company out of Miami that embraces differences. They took the stage with an ArtThread collaborative visual art performance, along with the musical group Zen Fuse Box.

 

Anna Preston adds this: Karen Peterson and Dancers were also featured on the concert bill but the professional dance company that collaborated with ArtThread and Zen Fuse Box was Anna Preston & Dancers. The company members pictured are Jasmine Bishop, Lindsay Davis, Jen Jacoby, Lisa Langford, and Chelsea Varsaci. The piece was costumed by Elissa Zeltzer and the visual artists were Bruno Chagas and Ben Parson, mentored in ArtThread by Dan Galloway.

 

The dancers performed while artists used ArtThread's Splash software to paint a live and interactive background for the dancers. You can see their work in the pictures above. The event took place at the Lyric Theater on May 1 in Stuart, FL.

 

Art, music, and dance all united on stage - fantastic!

 

 

The Healing Power of Art

by David Haas

Anyone battling cancer knows the value of therapy. Be it medicinal, psychological, or homeopathic, therapy is one of the biggest weapons when fighting a disease like cancer. Whether you are fighting a rare and terminal disease such as mesothelioma, or you are dealing with breast cancer, everyone who suffers from cancer is engaged in the same fight. Cancer affects everyone differently, yet all the same.

While there are many medicinal routes to take when fighting cancer, and many of which are proven successes, one avenue to pursue to improve ones mind psychologically when dealing with cancer is art. Art therapy encompasses multimedia, meaning that its approach incorporates painting, drawing, music, and other forms of art. By incorporating art and creativity into your cancer treatment, you may find it easier to cope with the realities of this deadly disease.

Cancer, in and of itself, can be a very frightening experience. Many people find themselves lost when they are diagnosed with cancer. For instance, due to the recent amount of media attention, those with a mesothelioma prognosis may find themselves very scared. Art therapy can help these people cope with those feelings by creating a tranquil environment outside the cancer experience.

If you have been diagnosed with cancer and are seeking all treatment options, including alternative therapies, making art may be right for you. Art as therapy involves getting cancer patients involved in stress reducing activities, such as painting, playing or learning to play an instrument, as well as discovering creativity using mixed media. Studies have show that those who keep their mind, body, and spirit occupied have a lesser chance of contracting a disease, and a greater chance of fighting off diseases. In terms of cancer, patients show greater improvement when they are engaged in artistic activities, compared to those who are not.

Of course, cancer affects everyone differently and the methods of treatment that work for one may not work for another, but when battling a disease such a cancer, it is important to try every option available. Art therapy continues to be of great help, both to those suffering from cancer, and to the families and caregivers. Sharing that creativity from within and creating something (feeling a sense of accomplishment at the end of the day) is what art therapy is all about. Patients with cancer who engage in activities that stimulate the brain show a better healing rate when compare to cancer patients who do not engage in any artistic activities.

 

Our guest blogger David Haas is a cancer patient advocate for the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance. David wants to make a difference in patient's lives because cancer has devastated so many people in this world. He loves to write and share opinions, feelings, and views with others. "I love my job, because I get to help cancer patients all over the United States." David also enjoys rock climbing, racquetball, golf, and watching sports.

The ArtThread Gallery is a great place to start exploring your creative side. Go for it!

 

Scan Design–ArtThread event a huge success!

Art, music, wine, and creativity were all flowing freely at Scan Design’s Fall in Furniture Love art contest and showcase event last week in Tampa. 

This was the fourth annual presentation of this community art event, put on by all four Scan Design stores in Florida.  The wonderful staff at the Tampa store created a magical atmosphere in their huge showroom, which included a presentation of all the fine art that was submitted for the art contest.

We at ArtThread were honored to be chosen as the featured non-profit recipient of the proceeds from the silent auction of items donated by a host of Tampa businesses (see the list at the end of this post), including a fantastic recliner donated for raffle by Scan Design.

 Our “Splash Party” station was set up for everyone to get a chance to experience the engaging fun of doing virtual painting with ArtThread’s online art-maker (Jay is showing people how to do it, above). Projected on one of the walls, you could see the art being made from all over the store (see below). Have a look at some of the art made during this "paint-in" in this thread in the ArtThread Gallery.

 

“This event is a wonderful demonstration of how art creates community,” said Jay Klein, ArtThread CEO. “This was a chance for real immersion – while you were surrounded by the work of all these fine artists who submitted their art, you could at the same time make your own masterpiece. This "art everywhere" experience is just what we are all about at ArtThread.”

Around the corner from the Splash station the folks at Scan Design provided a large canvas (see below) for everyone to paint, too, giving the whole crowd a double whammy of creative opportunities.

 Scan Design’s team deserves kudos for a job well done, and we are grateful to store owner Mikael Eskilden and the entire staff for all their help and support in creating this superlative event. You can see the work submitted by artists from the previous events in this thread on the ArtThread Gallery.

The band Orange Groove provided the jazz music for the crowd, and ArtThread board member Cathy DeWitt sang a tune with the group.

 

Proceeds from the event go toward sustaining the ArtThread Foundation’s web infrastructure, and to supporting our efforts to donate online art-making and 21st century skill building technology to non-profit charities and organizations in the state of Florida and around the world.

Our heartfelt thanks to Scan Design and these Tampa businesses who donated their goods and services for the silent auction:

• Becker Designed, Inc. - BDI
• Dreamweaver's, Inc.
• Foreign Accents
• BAZZ Lighting
• Esther Jensen
• Wildcat Territory
• Ligne Pure
• Crispers
• Café Luna
• Sirata Beach Resort
• Tradewinds Beach Resort
• Dolphin Landings Charter
• Seminole Lake Country Club
• The Art of Massage
• Muse the Salon
• Wrights Gourmet House
• Joshua & Jessica Skroch
• Genesis Weight Loss

 

Art Mashup!

Art is not sacred (really, it's not), and on the ArtThread Gallery we have tools to make mashups of images, including ways of making subtle changes that make a big difference.

A few brush strokes in this photo of a butterfly, and we've got a whole new face.  This feature is part of Splash!, and you'll find it in the Shape tool.  

This image is from an artist (remember, we are all artists) in Project 10: Transition Education Network, the primary conduit between the Florida Department of Education and transitioning students with disabilities in Florida public schools. Project 10 is one of ArtThread's favorite partners!

ArtThread's faculty provided the Work of Art training program to the staff of Project 10, as well as over 100 teachers, administrators, therapists, and tech support people.  These ArtThread mentors are training students and other teachers on using all the features of the Project 10 - ArtThread Gallery.

Providing opportunities for creative expression and art-to-art conversations for these students is right in line with our mission.  It's great to play a part in helping these students and teachers connect, create, and thrive!

Art and Disaster

Looking at the newspaper this morning I came upon a photo of an oil-covered bird forlornly leaning against the rusty hull of a cleanup vessel in the Gulf of Mexico.  The image carries so much weight - in looking at it you know this bird is not going to make it. 

That got me thinking about creativity in the face of disaster.  At the onset of this mess in the Gulf, key people involved in finding solutions are tapping into their own creative juices to try and come up with a way to stop the mile-deep leak.  The pressure is on and at these moments we can do some of our best work - let's hope so. 

What about the rest of us - can we tap into our creativity and make a difference?  Some of us will don yellow hazmat suits and flock to the coast to clean birds and other marine animals. Others will lament and find it all much too overwhelming.  But as artists (remember- we are all artists!) we can do something else - we can manifest these feelings in our daily acts, and in our art.  

One of the artists on the ArtThread Gallery has a thread called "doomday" and in it is this maelstrom called "2012," shown above.  Made with Splash, ArtThread's online art-making tool, this piece is a powerful expression of chaos.  In creating this, the artist opens a window and allows us to see the realization of their vision.  As for what goes on in the artist's mind at the moment of creation, we have no idea, but something is transferred from artist to viewer - something is left behind and something is gained.   

The ducks aren't any cleaner, but perhaps a bit of our selves is washed clean in that moment of creation.  Give it a try...

New Splash Art: Grass Lights and Tones

We've been getting some wonderful new art made by ArtThread thrivors using Splash!, our online art-making tool.  This online app encourages you to explore it's game-like interface - you can simply click around and watch the art unfold.  Or you can dive in with a vision and something like this:

This one, called Grass Lights, is the work of one of our favorite artists, and you can see more of her work in the thread where this art lives - Magic and Mystery.  

Here's another one, made by creating a piece and then stamping multiple images of it on another canvas.  Looks like it should be hanging at MOMA:

This one is part a series of black and white pieces.  Check out the Tones thread and  see some of the monochrome possibilities.

Jump in - spend a minute and make a piece for yourself - you deserve it!

Why should we make art?

"I'm not an artist."

When we train people to use the ArtThread Online Gallery, we often hear that phrase.  There seems to be a wide-spread belief that before we can make art we must possess some magical talent.  You can see the nervousness in people when we tell them to "just go for it!" 

Besides the fear of making a mistake, we also sense a question: why?  Why should we make art?  It seems many of us have been deprived of the permission and the opportunity to be creative, yielding a collective memory loss of the "aha" moment that so wonderfully arrives during creative expression. 

The latest issue of Greater Good magazine (soon to be web-only) is devoted to the theme "Why Make Art." In "The Birth of the Arts" author Ellen Dissanayake says "the arts transmit value systems and stories that serve to unite individuals in social groups."  Probably true, but not much use when we stare at the blank canvas and wonder how to begin.  

How about this: "...artistic rituals and ceremonies help persuade people to devote themselves to ideals that transcend narrow self-interest: loyalty, generosity, hard work, unselfishness, patriotism, and even the sacrifice of one's life." Now we're getting somewhere, but still rather high-fallutin'.  

In another article in the same issue (Why We Make Art), dancer Gina Gibney says "In life we experience so much fragmentation of thought and feeling.  ...creating art brings things back together."  Pete Docter, director of the recent Pixar film "Up," says "It's fun making things."  That's the one -  we are hard-wired to get enjoyment out of the act of creating something.

Though we may innately know that "making things" is important, who has time?  Our ultra-connected lives can ultimately lead us to be ultra-disconnected from the well of creativity waiting inside us.  How do we start sipping from that well?

Not to worry - creativity easily leaks into every facet of our lives.  Observe yourself making breakfast - you are an artist!  Carlin Flora knows it.  In her article "Everyday Creativity" in the latest issue of Psychology Today, she says we can tap into our creativity by doing things (there it is again!) "that don't sound intimidatingly ingenious."  Maybe the word 'creativity' is too high-fallutin':

"When we think of creativity, we think of Mozart, Picasso, Einstein—people with a seemingly fated convergence of talent and opportunity. It's too narrow a set of references, because the truth is that all sorts of people, possessing various levels of intelligence and natural ability, are capable of engaging in fulfilling creative processes. Just because you'll never be Brando or Balanchine doesn't mean that you can't harness your idea-generating powers and make your life your own masterpiece."

That one is worth repeating - make your life your own masterpiece.  That's why we tell everyone to go for it.

"I am an artist!"

Embrace the Mistakes

Remember that Bill Cosby routine where the surgeon says, "Oops"?  Not what you want to hear at that moment.  But during the creative process those "oops" moments can be the spark that sets you down a new path.

In the latest issue of his wonderful newsletter "The Painter's Keys," Robert Genn writes about artists and mistakes:

"Don't assume mistakes are a bad thing.  Don't think for one minute that everyone agrees with what "good" is... Don't fall into the trap of thinking perfection is attainable or even desirable.  Don't assume the existence of error." 

We know error can exist, but Robert points us toward a clearing of the mind when we embark on something new.  By forgetting the possibility of error we open ourselves up to the the possibility of the creating something totally fresh.  This works for art in all its forms - making breakfast, arranging your desk, or dipping your brush into that first bit of paint.  

Dive in - you can't make a mistake!