Carmen loves art.
“I’ve always loved to draw, ever since I was a kid,” she says. “When I was in foster care, I would draw what was on my mind. It was a way to get my feelings out without acting out. Drawing helped me to feel better about myself. Kids used to put me down because I couldn’t read, but I would know that at least I was good at something.”
When she lost her job a few months ago, Carmen came to the Arts Center. She says “My foster mom suggested it because art is all I ever wanted to do.”
Carmen started volunteering at the Arts Center. She helped at Starry Night Studios as a paint waiter and cheerfully lent a hand wherever it was needed. In January, she started taking Intro to Drawing, thanks to donations from individuals which allowed us to offer class subsidies.
“I could never have taken this class if I had to pay,” says Carmen. “I think it has made my art tremendously better. I taught myself to draw and this class made me take a step back and look at some of the basic things. Now I want to learn different styles of art.”
For Carmen, art is what she calls her “personal portal” and the Arts Center is the place that inspires her. “Ever since I’ve been coming here, I’ve felt less depressed,” she says. “If I wasn’t here, I’d just be sitting on my couch at home.”
If you would like to support other students like Carmen – for whom art is a passion but finances are a problem – you can make an online donation. Be sure to indicate in the comments section that your gift is for class subsidies.
