As an artist in her personal life and a social worker in her professional life, Sarah Stone has seen her share of struggling artists. But the ones who have touched her the most are the adults with developmental disabilities she works with as a service coordinator at Rocky Mountain Human Services.
“I’ve worked with and heard about clients in our services who have unique creative talents but few outlets to share them,” she explained. “Even more importantly, these artists don’t have many opportunities to join together with fellow artists and have a sense of belonging as a group.”
Driven by what she saw, Stone was determined to create opportunities for individuals that would provide a sense of community and the ability for them to grow as artists. Thus, the Art Impacts! project was born. It starts with an eight-week art workshop for adults with developmental disabilities who are clients of RMHS.
The workshop will culminate in a month-long exhibit beginning in mid-November, including a First Friday gallery showing Dec. 6 at the Access Gallery in the Santa Fe Arts District in Denver.
Katie Goulet is a communications specialist at Rocky Mountain Human Services.
