Finding Artistic Inspiration and Stimulation

River Arts is excited to announce a new collaboration with Grass Roots Art and Community Effort (G.R.A.C.E). G.R.A.C.E is focused on empowering individuals through transformative art experiences, which lead to creative growth and self-discovery. At the core of G.R.A.C.E is a commitment to unite diverse communities through the process of art making and exhibitions.

We want everyone who walks through the doors at River Arts to feel our core value, Art for Everyone. In collaboration with the G.R.A.C.E, River Arts hopes that more members of our community will find joy and depth in works of art considered “outsider art”. We believe that everyone can use creative expression to convey meaning. From a scribble to a masterpiece, every level of art making is valuable.

We have all spent hours studying works by old and modern masters seeking ideas for color, style, content, perspective, and composition. We would like to present a different selection of art to view; to use as a departure point from which to create an original piece of art. Perhaps there is an approachability to these pieces, or perhaps there is an honest wonder and joy that is conveyed. We hope that by sharing these pieces from G.R.A.C.E’s collection, River Arts can help spark inspiration and embolden our more timid community members to explore creative expression.

How it works:

Similar to how River Arts Open Studio Figure Drawing operates, each week, Curator and Artistic Director Kathy Stark will share a selection from G.R.A.C.E’s collection of outsider artwork. This weekly virtual prompt to create will be shared by River Arts on our Facebook Page.

We encourage you to use each piece as inspiration and a departure point for your own original creation.

Paint, draw, collage…perhaps you’ll be inspired to write a poem or a melody that captures the spirit of the piece. All mediums and experience levels are encouraged to participate. Finished pieces can be submitted for display on River Arts and G.R.A.C.E’s social media platforms. Participants may be invited to participate in a group exhibition or be featured in an “artist of the month” in the future.

If you would like to participate, you can send your completed artworks to:

Devon Thomas, Americore Vista at G.R.A.C.E
americorpsvista@wonderartsvt.org
Phone: 802-533-9370

For questions about the collection and more information about G.R.A.C.E, please contact:

Kathy Stark, Curator & Artistic Director of G.R.A.C.E
kstark2102@hotmail.com
Phone: 802-472-6857
https://graceart.org/