PRINTCreating lasting impressions
Kids use their artistic skills to make good for the community
August 9, 2007 | 12:00 a.m. CST
Encouraging words of “That looks great!” and “Awesome job!” bubble through the air like the bright blue-and-green ornaments that teenagers toss across the room. Kids carefully fold paisley origami paper in a studio-style white room. Paintings of animals and flowers with smiley faces color the background along with boxes of dull crayons, scissors and countless shelves of finished crafts. But nothing is as vibrant as the faces of the kids who skillfully and proudly put together their art projects for C.A.R.E. Gallery.
C.A.R.E. stands for Career Art Related Experience, and though the city employs youths in locations such as Head Motor Company and Cherry Street Artisan, looking around the C.A.R.E. Gallery, it’s clear the trainees here are specially employed for a reason — their enthusiasm and love for art.
The 2007 C.A.R.E Gallery exhibit will be featured July 21 - Aug. 28 at the Perlow-Stevens Gallery Alcove.
Tanisha Tunstall and visiting artist Naomi Sugino work meticulously on the colorful origami projects.
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The summer of art
For seven years, teens have had the unique opportunity to spend their summer days crafting and creating. As commissioned artists, these kids make a diverse array of projects ranging from T-shirt designs to painted furniture to pressed-flower compositions. Working as trainees in Columbia’s C.A.R.E. program, which employs at-risk youth who live in Columbia and/or who attend Columbia Public Schools, at a variety of businesses in the area, the kids at C.A.R.E. Gallery spend the summer learning both art and job-related skills.
Let’s get it started
When Columbia’s Office of Cultural Affairs and City of Columbia’s Department of Parks and Recreation decided to open C.A.R.E. Gallery in 2000, it looked drastically different from the gallery that stands today. Although the interest in art hasn’t diminished, the scenery definitely has improved. “We were working in a garage out in Rock Quarry Park, and we were very thankful for the space,” says Danielle Eldred, coordinator of the gallery.
After only a few years, the gallery expanded in both substance and space with funding from Office of Cultural Affairs, Missouri Arts Council and National Endowment for the Arts. “It’s just been able to grow and continue to build to be a very well-rounded experience,” Eldred says. “It’s gone above and beyond because they (the artists) feel the impact of the grant money and the community support and the new space, and I just feel like it’s made them able to really reach their full potential as artists.”
A worthwhile job
The trainees have all the responsibilities of a job, but instead of spending their summer stocking cups at Starbucks or rotating tires at Tires Plus, they spend their time attaining innovative skills from visiting artists. Then the young creators apply their newfound dexterity to pieces, which are then sold in an art show at the end of the summer. The exhibit just took place at the Perlow-Stevens Gallery on Aug. 2. “There are plenty of classes out there that kids can take, but [the gallery is] giving at-risk or underprivileged youth an opportunity to make money while learning and deciding what they want to do for the rest of their life.
“The kids adore the C.A.R.E. Gallery because is it a place where they grow as artists and gain self-confidence,” Eldred says.
Personal perspectives
As a trainee this summer, 15-year-old Tanisha Tunstall has been having a blast. “Every day is ... new things, so I liked being surprised with what we’re doing,” she says. This summer, she painted a sunset on the seat of a chair and stars along the back.
Skyler Goodale, a 14-year-old enthusiast, has loved art for as long as he can remember, so this job suits him perfectly. For him and other trainees, the gallery also serves as safe haven — a place to be themselves. “This has been a good summer except for the times, well, we all have hard times once in a while, and my dad is struggling to get a surgery, and it scares me, and I have my moments where I’m just breaking but I really love this job,” Skyler says.
