by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
“It’s a wonderful opportunity for us to be able to exhibit at MOCA,” said Cara Bowyer, assistant executive director of The Arc Jacksonville concerning the exhibit now on display at the Museum of Contemporary Art.
The Arc Jacksonville is a nonprofit organization that serves some of the community’s most challenged citizens. The organization was founded more than 40 years ago by parents who felt there was a lack of opportunities for their children with mental retardation. At the time, public schools offered no special curriculum and the nonprofit filled that void. Over the years the mission has evolved into providing education, work programs, group homes and other services to mentally and physically challenged individuals and their families.
One of the programs offered to clients is Artistic Realization Technologies (A.R.T.) which allows children and adults with the most severe physical disabilities to express themselves through art via the use of “surrogate hands.” Trained volunteers work with clients who direct the surrogate to select colors and apply paint to canvas under the direction of the artists, who are wheelchair-bound and enrolled in The Arc Jacksonville’s Medically Fragile Program.
“We currently have seven artists in A.R.T. and only one is able to speak,” said Bowyer.
Volunteers work closely with each client to learn to communicate through understanding visual cues which are then translated into action toward creating original art. Through a yes/no process, the artist selects the size of the canvas, the exact color of each brush stroke and the size and shape of the brush used. In some cases, a headband with a laser pointer is used by the artists to direct the brush held by the volunteer which applies the paint to the canvas.
Bowyer said it’s a “very tedious process” and sometimes takes as long as 48 hours to complete a painting.
The exhibit at MOCA isn’t the first for Arc Jacksonville clients. Several art-related programs are offered and have made positive contributions to the lives of those who take part and to the local arts community, said Bowyer.
“Art gives our clients self-worth and it’s an emotional outlet because they are considered true artists. Being a participating member of the community allows them a sense of independence. That’s what we’re about at The Arc Jacksonville,” she added.
A.R.T. began in 2003 and its results have since been seen at venues in addition to MOCA including Fogle Fine Arts, the University of North Florida and at the Florida Theatre during First Wednesday Art Walk. The list of avid collectors of works by artists in the program includes Preston Haskell, a passionate patron of contemporary art and chair of MOCA’s board of trustees, and Marty Lanahan, city president of Regions Bank. The bank has purchased more than 50 pieces of A.R.T. which are displayed in each branch location.
The Lab Gallery is on MOCA’s first floor adjacent to the museum store and its concept is completely different from the galleries upstairs. The space was developed as a way to give local artists a venue for their work and the art on exhibit is for sale.
Bowyer said being able to sell the paintings offers a couple of advantages. It’s a way for people who have no means for a paycheck to derive some income and it helps sustain A.R.T. because when a painting is sold, half of the proceeds go to the artist and the balance is reinvested to purchase supplies.
MOCA Director Debbie Broder said A.R.T. is a perfect fit for Lab Gallery.
“We get the enjoyment of getting to know more local contemporary artists. Lab Gallery is a window into what young, unknown artists are doing.
“It also touches our visitors and helps us fulfill our mission of serving the entire community with the museum,” she added.
A.R.T will be on display at MOCA through Jan. 27. The next exhibit opens Jan. 21 at Gallery Framery in San Marco.
For more information about all the programs, services and volunteer opportunities available at The Arc Jacksonville call 355-0155 or visit www.arcjacksonville.org.
Preston Haskell and Marty Lanahan with artist Maurice Olayinka who is a client of The Arc Jacksonville. Haskell and Lanahan are both patrons and collectors of the work done by local physically challenged artists.
356-2466