Blue Shoe Arts Impact

MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF BLUE SHOE ARTISTS

Our artists are creative souls (soles!) which means they just didn’t really care to work on assembly line jobs; they found them tedious and boring. When people are working at something they don’t enjoy, they often have little motivation to work, consistently wasting time and getting into trouble. Channeling their energies into creative areas of art has produced radical changes in their behaviors.

Now we have people who love to come to work in the art studio, smile and laugh as they create, and are building relationships with other artists with and without disabilities. Each day in the studio has helped participants develop into an “art family” where they now encourage and support each other, respect and admire the art produced, and experience laughter and joy as a family working together.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE WITH PEOPLE

Many different people who are connected with our artists have been touched.

The families and people they live with have seen remarkable changes in their “artist’s” lives. They seem happier in their regular jobs and this carries over into other areas of their lives. Each meeting we have with the families and others who support the artists gives us stories of how their lives are being changed for the better. Both families and friends come into the studio frequently to see what new art is being created. They praise and encourage our artists and support them by purchasing their art. Blue Shoe Arts is making a difference in the lives of the extended families and friends of our artists. Self-esteem is alive and blooming in Fairfield County!

We have several volunteers who give of their time both in and out of the studio. They are building wonderful friendships with our Blue Shoe artists. Many of the workshop staff at Fairfield Industries are thrilled to see that the talent they suspected was hidden inside these people is now “coming out” full force. They wholly support and encourage the creativity of our artists.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE COMMUNITY

Fairfield County is a virtual mecca of artists representing many different art forms. Even though the art scene has been around for many years in this community, it has never been well connected, but has, instead, been composed of many small groups. The past two years have shown a move toward connecting our various art groups, headed by the OSU Extension Office, and Cheryl Fey, Art Director, is working to help with this connection so that every artist can be encouraged and supportive of all other artists. She strongly feels that the creativity of the soul is common ground to unite us as one.

To begin to connect the community artists, Blue Shoe Arts sponsored its first annual county-wide art contest in March, 2005 with the theme “A Celebration of the Creative Souls in our Community.” Every school was invited to participate as well as all adults (amateur and professional); we had 90 child/youth entries and 18 adult entries. The artwork featuring “blue shoes” was phenomenal and the two-week exhibit was enjoyed by hundreds of visitors. Our second annual contest will be held in March, 2006 and will have the theme “Blue Shoe Travels.”

Cheryl has also been speaking to various community, civic and church groups in the area, spreading the message of Blue Shoe Arts. The wonderful art and stories of the artists makes for a colorful presentation. Again, this exposure of this art program to the general public helps to educate them on the talents we all have, no matter what our background or life experiences. One group at a time, one person at a time, we are making a difference in the community.