ArtReach

About

ArtReach began 3 years ago when Jack Fox, Associate Pastor of eXchange at Maryland Community Church in Terre Haute realized the power that art had in spiritual developement, relationships, and community building.  The idea simmered for a few months.

Then he met Kathy Gotshall, Director of the Graduate Art Therapy Program at St Mary-of-the-Woods University.  He threw out the idea of creating some type of environment where people could get together and create art but not necessarily a classroom atmosphere.  Kathy developed the idea of “Creative Expressions of the 23rd Psalm.”

This idea soon became reality when a group of 8 or so people began meeting every Wednesday to creatively express various passages from the 23rd Psalm through various art mediums.  This actual class lasted about 8 weeks but in the end no one wanted to quit meeting.  This is to the credit of Kathy’s nurturing personality and the power of unleashing the creative spirit within.

The group continued to meet and ArtReach was born.  Frequently drawing over a dozen people each week we quickly outgrew it’s original room at the church.  Paintings and supplies piled up in closet, cabinets and corners.  The room became our gallery generating more interest in what we were doing. ArtReach moved to another location with in the church and quickly left our mark…literally.  The tables, carpet, walls, nearby bathrooms and sinks and had the tell-tale signs of artists nearby.

ArtReach began doing live art creation during church services and even became involved in community events.  In an effort to raise money to support the unbudgeted endeavor, they hosted a silent auction.  Selling artwork created by the artists of ArtReach they raised about $700 which covered much of their supply expense for the first half of the year.

In August of 2007 ArtReach received and grant from the city of Terre Haute to move our program downtown.  ArtReach’s new home is located at 683 Wabash upstairs from Crossroads Cafe.  ArtReach more than doubled their normal attendance their first night and already feel like they could outgrow the space we just moved into.

A lot of people try to categorize an art group like this as a kids thing but it is not.  Most of the people that come to ArtReach are young adults looking for community and a way to express themselves creatively.

So really, this is just the beginning.