The ArtReach program began serving the Abilene area when three Center Artist Members, Clint Hamilton, Ruth Jackson and Patty Rae Wellborn offered free art classes to a few small groups of elderly and disabled clients from Abilene social service agencies. The program was a success, but growth was slow, and there was little funding. As years passed, more and more requests for ArtReach services arrived, and the program began serving new audiences, including area youth.

The goals of ArtReach enrichment programs and classes are to give participants the opportunity to: improve critical thinking, spatial/temporal reasoning and social skills, develop positive self-concepts, and nourish a life-long love of art.

Under the guidance of our education coordinator, Burgess "Bird" Thomas, ArtReach provides the community with the following types of programs:

- Free weekly art classes for the special needs and underserved populations
- Arts enrichment programs
- Tuition-based art classes and camps for children ages 9-12, teens and adults

Our education coordinator ensures that ArtReach Programs are aligned with the TEKS objectives in art, as well as in math, social studies, science, language arts and reading. Agencies include Adaptive Recreation Services, Abilene Christian University, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Disability Resources, Inc., Hardin Simmons University, McMurry University, Taylor County Detention Center, and the Taylor County Jail. Continual requests and an outpouring of gratitude from partnering schools and agencies showcase the ongoing need for arts educational programming in our community.

This year we have integrated more aspects of art therapy and social work into our program so participants can be exposed to the therapeutic benefit of art applications. Requests from ArtReach programs at the Taylor County Juvenile Justice Center and the Taylor County Jail have created a unique situation to incorporate more aspects of art therapy and hands-on learning for the participants.

In 2010, the Center for Contemporary Arts and the Taylor County Jail collaborated to bring therapy in art to the inmates. Once a week, an art instructor from the Center provides art classes that are available to inmates as a reward for good behavior in addition to being an outlet for self-expression. Long-time Center for Contemporary Arts artist members and instructors Ruth Jackson and Katy Presswood have provided their students with a creative environment where they can learn about composition, color, technique, and execution. "The feelings come from within but the technical skills can be taught" is how Katy Presswood describes her teaching experience at the Taylor County Detention Center and Taylor County Jail.

The ArtReach Program provides the Center an opportunity to partner with over 20 area schools and agencies. We anticipate serving over 1,000 individuals during the 2010-11 ArtReach Program. The Center will also continue conducting our monthly gallery talks during our ArtWalk Program at no cost to our visitors. Gallery talks enable our visitors to become active participants in our three main programs: ArtReach, ArtWalk, and Exhibits.

The Center for Contemporary Arts is also actively working with Abilene university students from Abilene Christian University, Hardin Simmons University, and McMurry to help mentor them in art education and application. Movie Night @ The Center was created so university students (as well as high school students) could be exposed to art related films and group discussions led by seasoned Center artist members. Our education coordinator personally screens all the films prior to viewing and works with university professors to ensure the films and discussions are integrated into the syllabus and semester curriculum.

In order to continue with the highest quality of programming at the Center, our education coordinator individually selects program instructors who are trained educators and/or artist members or staff at the Center for Contemporary Arts. Not only do these individuals encompass the artistic and educational expertise to train individuals from various backgrounds, but they also have a passion for teaching and a love for the arts. Prior to beginning the ArtReach courses, our education coordinator conducts a training session for all instructors and requests all agencies and schools served by the program complete evaluations. This system allows the Center to monitor and track all aspects of the ArtReach Program, to ensure that the highest level of programming is being provided to our agencies and schools served.

For more information on educational offerings,
contact the Center’s Education Coordinator, Burgess Thomas, at 325.677.8389 or
bird@center-arts.com