Art With A Purpose

Written by Bakersfield Magazine

“What I really love about this program is that clients are so proud of what they’ve done, they just can’t wait to show it off,” said Linda Hartman, executive director of Bakersfield Association for Retarded Citizens (BARC).

It’s a sense of pride and deep caring that defines the attitude of the directors of BARC as they discuss the bourgeoning Art With a Purpose Program.

What began with a few ceramic bowls and some paint has become a runaway success for this organization. Art With a Purpose is bringing new smiles to the clients and staff.

The initial creations under the Art With a Purpose Program were ceramic bowls that clients painted, which were then glazed and fired at Color Me Mine. The bowls were such a hit with community members that BARC saw fit to expand its repertoire to include colorful yard art, several different types of pottery, as well as garden stepping stones.

The yard art is something that BARC on the Move clients, who are often severely disabled, can create. Clients make colorful garden stakes by stringing bright beads onto shaped wire and then attaching it to a stake that, when stuck into soil, adds flair to potted or garden plants. The stepping stones are a truly industrious form of art as clients work with concrete and broken up tile acquired from the Habit for Humanity ReStore. It’s all teamwork as the clients mix the concrete, add the desired coloring, then shovel it into a form where several hands move in cooperation to press the mosaic of colorful glass and tile into the drying concrete. The result is beautiful, handmade, garden stepping stones and each one is unique.

A turning point for the program was at last fall’s Bakersfield Business Conference where Art With a Purpose had a booth in the arts tent. BARC was able to debut its notecards, mouse pads, and posters that feature clients’ drawings and paintings to the community. The exhibit received such positive feedback from businesses wanting to sell the art that Hartman and other directors knew the program would only continue to grow. They understand that the retail aspect gives the clients a new sense of pride and self-expression knowing that they can create something people will want to buy. BARC client Donald Campbell explained how the program is a new way for the mentally disabled to express themselves to the community saying that without it, “we wouldn’t be able to have that communication with the rest of the world.”

“It doesn’t matter where you fall on the scale of functioning or abilities, every one of our clients can produce art. Every one of our clients can be creative,” said Lisa Plank, director of public relations and community affairs for BARC. Clients from different levels of functioning being able to work together is unique to Art With a Purpose and is a reason why this program is so exciting for BARC. Hartman added, “What’s happening with this program is they get to interact with each other more...there’s a real sense of ownership.” The camaraderie reflects the fun spirit of the program.

Originally an additional fundraising effort for BARC’s services, the Art With a Purpose Program’s money from sales now goes back into developing the program. This circular flow of funding is limited but helps the program develop itself without complete dependence on donations. Plank explained that “the cost is minimal compared to the benefits.”

The word “purpose” is a pervasive one at BARC. Their motto is “Giving People Purpose.” And the purpose of the new program is just that; to give the clients another sense of purpose. But it does more.

As the program continues to blossom, the benefits become more apparent and diverse. The projects are helping to break up the working clients’ duties. Campbell agreed saying, “It’s a very wonderful program to be part of. It gives us a little relief from what’s going on in the back.” What goes on in the back is BARC Industries many departments from recycling to its wood shop.

He added, “we can show them what we can do and maybe that would lead to the possibility of new positions out in the community.”

The program is a vehicle for BARC to show the community “what our clients are capable of doing,” said Plank.

And for the clients, the art has become something other than their work that they can take pride in.

Drawing is BARC client Eric Locke’s passion. Locke works in the printing shop at BARC and loves to draw snakes and dragons.

“I just love drawing pictures,” he said with a smile. When asked by Hartman if he enjoys the Art With a Purpose projects he replied, “Honestly, I’m hungry for another one.”

Locke also said he wants to learn to draw portraits. So bringing in people with arts experience to teach the clients is just one of the many things BARC would like to do with the program as it grows. The staff also plans on converting a large garage space into an Art With a Purpose studio so that the clients will have a creative space dedicated to art projects and fun. BARC has acquired two kilns and several molds so that staff can help clients glaze the pottery themselves. The directors are always on the lookout for new project ideas. While there are plans to expand the program and give it an online storefront on the BARC website, the organization is always looking for support through donations. Whether it be money, supplies, or time, it’s all valuable to the grateful clients at BARC.

Art With a Purpose is developing into an invaluable program for the clients who are finding new excitement and expression through art. The program is serving the BARC mission to instill purpose in all of the clients and through these works of art, this organization is bringing together its community with the greater community of Bakersfield.

“Sometimes people don’t know just how great these people are,” Hartman added. “When you get to see them in this environment, you see a whole different side of things.”

If you’d like more information on Art With a Purpose or any of BARC’s other great programs, call (661) 834-2272 or visit barc-inc.org.

Article appeared in our 28-2 Issue - June 2011