RedBird Studio Celebrates Early Successes
February 1, 2017 at 7:09 p.m.
By Dan [email protected]
The studio is a division of Cardinal Services. The Warsaw agency provides an array of services to disabled people. In April, the small art class expanded into a much bigger studio and then watched as artistry and the thrill of selling art blossomed.
Various art forms from RedBird have been featured at numerous events around the city, including last week’s annual chamber dinner. The studio also has hosted open houses and some artwork has been on display at Warsaw City Hall.
At a First Friday event last fall, RedBird sold more than $1,500 of merchandise over two days.
The artists receive 60 percent of sales. The rest goes back into the studio.
The studio is overseen by coordinator Michele Fanfair-Steury.
At the open house Tuesday, Cardinal Chief Executive Officer Randy Hall updated assembled guests on the sales figures and thanked the community for embracing the studio.
So far, clients have made $2,800, he said.
Some of the artists have never earned a paycheck.
For others, it’s an alternative way to make a little cash other than working on the assembly floor at Cardinal.
One client, Stephane, was ecstatic after receiving her first paycheck and declared she didn’t want to return to the assembly floor again.
“It was a great moment,” Hall said. “For her to realize and be able to take control over her life, to choose whatever she wants to do is just fantastic.”
There are other benefits, too. Ones that really matter, Hall said.
In numerous cases, he said, the studio is helping clients come out of their shells. They’re lifting their heads up, opening their eyes and extending hands for handshakes.
“The parents are coming back and saying, ‘You don’t understand what the art studio is doing for my child,’” Hall said. “That is, to me, the most powerful success – to help people to connect with their community, to be a part of the world around them.”
Grace College is collaborating with the studio as well, and Cardinal is reaching out to other artists who might want to get involved with the studio.
Hall said Cardinal is also seeing more people with an interest in art who are seeking to volunteer their time at Cardinal.
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The studio is a division of Cardinal Services. The Warsaw agency provides an array of services to disabled people. In April, the small art class expanded into a much bigger studio and then watched as artistry and the thrill of selling art blossomed.
Various art forms from RedBird have been featured at numerous events around the city, including last week’s annual chamber dinner. The studio also has hosted open houses and some artwork has been on display at Warsaw City Hall.
At a First Friday event last fall, RedBird sold more than $1,500 of merchandise over two days.
The artists receive 60 percent of sales. The rest goes back into the studio.
The studio is overseen by coordinator Michele Fanfair-Steury.
At the open house Tuesday, Cardinal Chief Executive Officer Randy Hall updated assembled guests on the sales figures and thanked the community for embracing the studio.
So far, clients have made $2,800, he said.
Some of the artists have never earned a paycheck.
For others, it’s an alternative way to make a little cash other than working on the assembly floor at Cardinal.
One client, Stephane, was ecstatic after receiving her first paycheck and declared she didn’t want to return to the assembly floor again.
“It was a great moment,” Hall said. “For her to realize and be able to take control over her life, to choose whatever she wants to do is just fantastic.”
There are other benefits, too. Ones that really matter, Hall said.
In numerous cases, he said, the studio is helping clients come out of their shells. They’re lifting their heads up, opening their eyes and extending hands for handshakes.
“The parents are coming back and saying, ‘You don’t understand what the art studio is doing for my child,’” Hall said. “That is, to me, the most powerful success – to help people to connect with their community, to be a part of the world around them.”
Grace College is collaborating with the studio as well, and Cardinal is reaching out to other artists who might want to get involved with the studio.
Hall said Cardinal is also seeing more people with an interest in art who are seeking to volunteer their time at Cardinal.
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