Since 1995 Art from the Heart has delivered on its mission to ‘offer an alternative-to-employment programs for adults with developmental disabilities.’ Art from the Heart has instead focused on nurturing creativity, building relationships and demonstrating the valuable contributions made by people of all abilities. As the name suggests, the mission rests largely on a foundation of artistic expression “We provide a venue for social connection, artistic play, and a showcase for outsider art.”

For the past 10 years, Art from the Heart has resided in the heart of NE Portland, filling out a spacious warehouse building on NE Broadway Street. Looking deceptively diminutive from the sidewalk, the space is expansive just past the minimal but inviting retail space – showcasing many original art pieces for sale. Thru the main entrance, walk East into an area where the artists create and socialize. Turn North and continue into the rear of the building, where the walls and ceilings open into a series of spacious rooms filled with nearly every art supply imaginable, and tables, and chairs and many works in progress. These work spaces comprise the bulk of the facility and include a small wood shop, a large, open main art room, and a lunchroom that doubles as a performance theater (slash) sewing room (slash) display gallery.

The main art room with its colorful floors, walls and ceilings, provides space for ceramics, paper making, and painting. A Broadway adjacent parking lot is receiving its own beautification. The artist have converted sections of the space into a courtyard and sitting garden with the addition of a handcrafted cob bench, flower boxes, and mural titled “Portland: As We See It”. If you’re only experience with Art from the Heart is limited to the retail gallery, ‘you aint seen nothing yet.’ Come by, Check it out, Take a tour, Get involved!

This story is incomplete without a quick shout to the instructors who help make it all happen. They are a small, vibrant team of artists/mentors. A compliment of talents who together coach each artist to their potential. The instructors at Art from the Heart took a moment out of their busy art filled day to share a bit of information about the center and upcoming events. Read the Q&A below as we Talk Art with Art from the Heart!

pbj: How many artists participate on an average day?

Art from the Heart: On an average day there are between 22-30 artists who are attending the program. We have 41 people currently enrolled at Art from the Heart.

Fred (left), David and Geneva (right)

Desirae (left), David (right)

pbj: How many instructors work with Art from the Heart?

AFTH: We have 5 instructors and 1 communication support staff for those individuals who are deaf.

pbj: Your curriculum includes a wide range of art forms. The artist can work in Encaustics, Fiber Arts, Ceramics, Wood Working, Sculpture to list a few. Which form is the most popular amongst the artists? Which is a favorite amongst the instructors?

AFTH: I have to say the favorite is… LUNCH! We get more requests for that than any other thing we offer! But, honestly, It is hard to say which art form is the “favorite” because it would depend on who you asked, at what time of the day, and which day of the week. For some people, the thing in front of them is always the best! For some it is painting, for others its ceramics, and for others still its weaving. I think most of the artists find their niche in some aspect of creating, but others remain jack-of-all-trades, choosing to dabble a little with this and that with great success. Sometimes people come to the studio with a specialty, but many people find their passion by taking classes and exploring new mediums, realizing there is more to doing art than the classics: drawing and painting.

pbj: Give us a temporary window into the Art from the Heart Studio. What will we find most interesting or surprising?

AFTH: There is a hustle and bustle that happens throughout the studio. It may look like chaos to the untrained eye, but there is a rhythm that keeps us in motion each and everyday. We are all very routine oriented people, whether we realize it or not, so there is a framework, a structure that we work with that helps people plug into activities that interest them. In addition, the space at Art from the Heart feels warm, welcoming, inviting and safe, so each person is able to explore and be themselves while they are there. Also, the personal connections between artists, artists and staff, and the staff themselves are really special. And, there is a community there uniquely its own, where every person uses their strengths and passions to support every other to do the same.

pbj: Art from the Heart also provides a forum for Theater, Puppet Theater and Musical performance. How do these art forms contribute to your vision? How are they received by the artists?

AFTH: Our goal is to provide as much opportunity to be expressive in the arts as possible. Like all artists, we have painters, printmakers, fiber artists, etc. And, like all artists, we also have musicians and actors in the group! We have always wanted to provide a venue in which people could really shine in whatever capacity they desire and explore what makes them feel most inspired or alive. Whether the artists are participating in music class or a theater production, almost all the artists love that these classes exist. If they aren’t in it, they are watching or listening and appreciating what their coworkers are creating!

pbj: What musical genre is a favorite amongst the artists?

AFTH: As for everything at Art from the Heart, personal style abounds. Individuals enjoy everything from classic rock to golden oldies to funk to country to classical to world music. Some of the most popular CDs and cassettes (yes, we’re still rocking the cassettes) around the studio are Al Green, War, Madonna, Patsy Cline, Mister Mopoji, Funkadelic, James Brown, and Cyndi Lauper.

pbj: What are the greatest rewards of being an instructor at Art from the Heart?

AFTH: Watching someone open up to truly expressing themselves, watching the freedom of creation, and playing with making art alongside someone everyday. Building positive relationships with unique and beautiful people. Having a community and friends surround me in my “work” place. Seeing pure joy in someone when they receive a paycheck for works that sell. Seeing the recognition and validation of those around me as artists by people outside our community. Feeling proud, everyday, about what we are doing and what we are creating. Feeling a sense of home!

pbj: How can the community get involved? Are there hours when anyone can visit the studio?

AFTH: There are many ways the community can get involved in Art from the Heart. We can always use volunteers for classes, general support in the studio and with show preparations, or to work one-on-one with individuals who need extra attention. We also invite artists to give an artist talk or demonstration of their art or craft. We always have an ongoing wish list on our website of the supplies that we would love to have donated, so they could check out that list and bring us supplies (or money to buy those things). If someone has a space where they need art to show, we would love to partner up to show our artists’ works outside the studio. We are also interested in getting more involved in public art projects and mural painting, so if you need some help with your project, we can provide some of the labor or inspiration. Of course, people are always welcome to support the artists and the program by purchasing artwork from our gallery! The gallery is open Monday-Friday from 9:00am-3:00pm, although if you want to meet the people behind the creations, you’ll have to come before 2:00pm when the program ends.

pbj: Are there any upcoming events?

AFTH: On Thursday, December 9th from 6:00-9:00pm we will have our annual holiday art show and open house at Art from the Heart. This event showcases the best of the new work from all artists enrolled in the program that have been made in the previous six months. There will be a theater performance of a original play written by AFTH artists and staff, along with light refreshments and music. The shows always prove to be a great time full of glowing smiles and artists willing to point out their work!

Artists pictured in article thumbnail: (left to right) Aaron, Virgil, Brian and David

images courtesy: Art from the Heart & peterbryanjenkins