Adding Color To Life Through Art
By Barbara Pickut, Director of The Studios at LOGAN
The arts give those who struggle with conventional communication a way to overcome physical limitations and achieve expression and connection. The Studios at LOGAN, a program for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, values art so highly because it gives a voice to those who speak without words. Every day we see many examples of art allowing people to express themselves, take pride in their work, and have their ability recognized by others.
Art has been a part of LOGAN for all its 70 years. In 2015, we turned our adult day program into The Studios to better reflect our focus on creativity. The Studio of the Arts, one of four specialized Studio programs, gives developing artists a chance to explore music, culinary arts, and all types of visual media – wood, glass, metal, acrylics, watercolors, paper, ceramics – basically anything that can be sanded, shaped, painted, or glued.
“Making Art Accessible for Everyone” session at the 2019 Indiana Arts Homecoming
Art and Accessibility for All
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is turning 30 this month! But how exactly does the ADA benefit communities, and the Hoosiers that live in them, when it comes to the arts? And how are arts programs, big and small, creating inclusive, welcoming environments?
This week, we’re exploring the answering to those questions.
Join us for a webinar | Follow along on Facebook and Instagram | Share your #ThanksToTheADA story with us
Matthew Cooper Paints Mural Project
By Americans for the Arts
Matthew Cooper, an artist based in Indianapolis, creates a modern triptych on the boarded-up windows of Old City Hall. The center panel depicts a Black man actively addressing the public space. He is flanked by two regal Black women who stand in profile. There is a balance between beauty and pain, exaltation and realism that pervades and connects these three portraits.
Matthew Cooper is one of the artists commissioned by the Arts Council of Indianapolis to create murals in response to the Black Lives Matter protests. In a recent interview with Green Loop Marketing, Cooper explained the inspiration for his three-part mural: “What inspired these 3 pieces I would have to say [is] everyday people. The middle figure is a wrongfully committed Black male [in a] mugshot and the side images are female figures that to me feel like his protective spirit[s]. I wanted to create something that allows African-Americans to smile during this time, for us to remember our history.†As a response to the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests, Cooper’s mural speaks to ineffable traumas, illustrates resilience, and perhaps most importantly aims to generate Black joy.
Learning to do what Grandma does
A beadworker and member of the Miami (Myaamia) Tribe of Oklahoma, Katrina Mitten comes from one of five families allowed to remain after the era of Indian Removal. During their Traditional Arts Indiana apprenticeship, her granddaughter, Saiyah Miller, would come over after school to “learn to do what Grandma does.â€Â Their time together encourages Saiyah to connect with the stories of her family while expressing her own creativity. Click here to learn more about Katrina and Saiyah’s artistry inspired from the patterning of Great Lakes and Miami beadwork embroidery.
What do you want to hear about during the 2020 virtual Homecoming?
We’re still seeking content proposals and ideas! The deadline to submit your ideas is July 31, 2020.Â
Here are some additional ideas we’re looking for:
- Pitches about advocacy
- Topic explorations about public art
- Ideas about reinventing and re-envisioning
- Positioning artists as leaders
Think you can deliver these sessions, or have additional thoughts?
Stories you may have missed
On-Ramp alumni Emily Gartner’s new line includes t-shirts, kimono jackets, and bags with words like diversity, inclusion, collaboration, networking, and community engagement on them.
In Muncie, Keegan Lunsford and his friend Saaket work on their box collaboration at the corner of Tillotson and the Bipass.
During the month of July, Indiana’s Poet Laureate Matthew Graham is curating a collection of poetry surrounding the themes of protest and pandemic. The first highlight in this collection is “Broken Expectations” by DeAnthony Carter.
AbsorbALL’s community-funded, community-minded art project turned a local deteriorating basketball court into an interactive mural.
The Latino Coalition created an online gallery to increase awareness about sexual assault in our community, to mobilize resources to eliminate it, and to be the voice of survivors of sexual violence.
Artist Adam Wagner gives a demonstration about his oil painting style.
Love, Lucine creates paintings, drawings, and more artwork that is influenced by her love for and deep pride in Black culture.
Artists in Bloomington’s Hyde Park are using their porches as a stage to share music.
Fort Wayne, Indiana is bursting with talent from its vibrant arts community! Click here to discover a list of Black fine artists, musicians, and photographers.
Multidisciplinary artist Korie Pickett reflects on arts as healing.
Many communities, such as Columbus and Indianapolis, have created projects utilizing art to encourage the wearing of masks.
Artist Stacey Torres is passionate about painting landscapes, animals, and people (primarily women) of various cultures with an abundance of brilliant color inspired by her Caribbean heritage.
Things to keep up-to-date on
- Be in-the-know by reviewing Governor Eric Holcomb’s Back on Track plan.
- If you’re a self-employed creative unable to work, you should file for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA).
- The deadline to apply for a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) forgivable loan through a bank or online financial institution is August 8, 2020.
- Rental assistance is available for those who live outside of Marion County.
- Rental assistance is available for those who live in Marion County.
Visit The Hub!
The Indiana Arts Commission believes you can build your thriving, creative life in Indiana exactly the way you want to. Need some help clarifying your career or business goals? Looking for something specific to get you on your way? Want to connect to other creatives here? We got you. Explore The Hub, and if it still doesn’t hit the mark, reach out. We’re here for it.
