PR2014 Sep 4

The Tuscaloosa News.com

By Angel CokerStaff Writer

Thursday

Sep 4, 2014 at 10:00 PM Sep 4, 2014 at 10:43 PM

ARC of Tuscaloosa showcases artwork at Bama Theater

There is no such thing as a typical day in art class at the Arc of Tuscaloosa County, said Will Yates, director of the art program for the nonprofit agency that serves adults with disabilities. 

They use potatoes to stamp colors and balloons to get a splatter effect. They get the paint in their hair and all over their clothes, but most of it ends up on a canvas by the end of an art class, he said.

About 65 paintings and other crafts from participants of the art day program at the Arc will be on display from 5-8 tonight during a reception at the Bama Theatre for the Arc’s third annual art exhibit, Creative Expressions III. 

The reception is part of First Friday, a night that showcases local art and music in downtown Tuscaloosa on the first Friday of each month. The Arc’s The Sounds of Joy choir will provide live music to accompany the art exhibit.

Four of the artists’ work will be featured on the walls of the theater, and the artists will take part in “Meet the Artist,” where they will discuss what each piece is meant to portray.

“The cool part is coming to hear the artists’ story of what they were thinking,” said Greg Woods, development coordinator for the Arc. “They kind of have their own little thing that they do, and you hear why Matt did a box and why Anthony did a dog.”

The paintings will be for sale and for bid, and all proceeds go back into the art program to purchase art supplies.

Donna Callahan, interim director of the Arc, said the exhibit isn’t about making money. It is part of the Arc’s efforts to integrate its participants — who have been diagnosed with intellectual and developmental disabilities — into the community and provide them with maximum independence.

“(The purpose is to) focus on ability and forget about disability,” Callahan said. “It’s important for people to see that they can create beautiful things. This art is hanging in homes all over Tuscaloosa.”

Woods said the exhibit gives the public an opportunity to interact with Arc participants and see what they can do.

“(The exhibit) showcases the ability of our consumers,” Woods said. “It gives us a chance to bring them out into the community and show people that even the consumers that we serve are a normal part of society.”

The exhibit will be on display through Sept. 26. Viewers can access the exhibit through the Tuscaloosa Park and Recreation Authority office on Greensboro Avenue during office hours throughout the week.