Talent of Many

Our plan

I have found the following quote to apply to me: Your destiny is where your joy meets the world's greatest need". My greatest joy is not producing art, but teaching kids who never knew they were artists to be artists. I always felt drawn to helping kids/youth who were at a disadvantage in obtaining art instruction.

What we did

I approached Brookside Youth Centre at a Volunteer Marche, asking if I could volunteer teaching art. I had the choice of helping out in the school on site or volunteering in the afternoons after school and evenings. I chose the latter. The Centre paid for initial supplies and both myself and interested friends have donated to the project as well, buying art books and more supplies. I got training for "going behind the fence" and started with 3 students on Monday nights three years ago. Currently, I volunteer 3X/week with approximately 12 students and a few on the waiting list. I have two wonderful helpers who interact with the youth and give them encouragement. They are not artists, but great communicators and helpers. I often get permission from Flickr photographers to use their images as reference material because drawing from real life is difficult because of our unique situation and security risks. The image attached to this article was drawn using a Slovenian photographer's photo. We had the added thrill of success when she posted the youth's rendition next to her original! We also received support in the form of a teaching video from a well-known Australian artist whose image we had used. We had our first art show last year and it traveled to 3 venues including our member of Parliament's office. The youth also put together a "manual" called "Talent of Many" to help new youth who enter the program to understand it. It shows some of our lessons as well as a gallery section showing the youths' artwork and poetry. We are now working on a project to design and create a wall of art for a local Women's Shelter called Northumberland Services for Women.