Artists and volunteers create together at Studio 507 in Centretown United Church, a space providing a creative outlet for people facing difficult circumstances, such as mental illness or homelessness. Cassandra Wood, Centretown NewsAn adult drop-in art studio located in a Centretown church has not only changed its name, it’s also improved how it helps artists reach their full potential.
Artistic Expressions is no more: meet Studio 507, aptly named for its location at 507 Bank Street.
“We were looking for a name that would still reflect both the fact that it’s an art studio, and secondly, that there’s still a connection to Centre 507,” said Linda Pollock, organizer of the downtown studio.
The art program is a joint operation by Centre 507 and the Centretown United Church, where the studio is located.
Centre 507 is an adult drop-in centre for people dealing with difficult circumstances, including homelessness, mental illness, addiction, extreme poverty, unstable housing, chronic unemployment and physical abuse. The program seeks to inspire the inner artist in each of its patrons.
While in operation, the studio has a few volunteers and three artist-mentors, who rotate from a group of about eight who offer their creative advice. Because they’re dealing with a vulnerable population, there is also one trained staff member on hand at all times.
The studio is a large classroom space with a worktable, and can hold about 15 people. It’s a set-up and take-down studio, as the same room is used for a number of other activities, as well.
Artist-mentors facilitate the participants’ work and help them bring their creative visions to life.
The studio offers acrylic paint and different kinds of dry media like pencils and pastels. Watercolour is also available, but it’s the least popular.
Recently, the studio has introduced specific workshops to encourage the participants to broaden their horizons.
“In the last year or so, we have been trying to focus more on providing opportunities not only for the participants to come down and have a safe and welcoming space, as well as the materials to paint, but in addition to that, encourage them to experiment, explore and evolve as artists,” explained Pollock.
When the studio first opened, people were more reluctant to step outside their comfort zones, but over time not only did they develop their artistic skills, but also became more confident.
“They seem more excited about trying new things,” said Lisa Thomas, an artist-mentor who has been with Studio 507 since it began in 2010.
Half of the time that patrons spend in the studio is devoted to learning a certain theme, and allowing artists to discover a broader range of styles, including colour management and experimental drawings.
The studio hopes to highlight the participants and their work at its annual exhibit next spring.
In the past, the studio has invited speakers or musical groups to draw a crowd. But this year, it hopes to focus more on the artists themselves by finding another location for the exhibit, which has always been held at the Centretown United Church.
“We’ve exhausted the potential of using the venue there at the church,” Thomas said.
They welcome any suggestions, and anyone who wishes to lend a hand.