Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Mitch Albom Meets Paint a Miracle

On Tuesday, February 7th, Paint a Miracle had the distinct honor of meeting reknown author and columnist, Mitch Albom. Precisely how did this honor come about? Apparently, a few very kind individuals nominated Paint a Miracle to be featured on Mitch's Local 4 News program, the Heart of Detroit.

Mitch and his crew spent the afternoon filming and chatting with Paint a miracle artists and staff. It was a magical day, and one we will never forget. It was a reminder to us all of how beauty can rise from the ashes.

Tune in for Paint a Miracle's story on the 5pm Local 4 News on Thursday, February 23rd. If you miss the broadcast, our story will also be posted on Mitch Albom's website: www.mitchalbom.com/heartofdetroit.

Friday, February 4, 2011

Paint A Miracle In The Press

Congressman Peters to Visit Downtown Art Studio
by Kristen Bull, Rochester Patch. 1/27/11.

A downtown art studio will host a special guest Monday morning.
U.S. Rep. Gary Peters, the Democrat who represents Rochester and Rochester Hills, has plans to tour Paint a Miracle, where a state grant is helping make art happen for children and adults living with disabilities.
“Paint a Miracle is doing great things for extraordinary individuals in our community,” Peters said in a statement. “The staff are hard-working individuals who take great care to craft activities and provide a space for people with disabilities to express their creativity in an encouraging and supportive atmosphere.
"Programs like Paint a Miracle make our community a better and stronger place for all of us.”
Last year the studio received a $5,000 grant from the state of Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs and the National Endowment for the Arts for its "Expression in Clay" project.
Just this week the MCACA awarded Paint a Miracle an additional $7,500 grant to provide continued support for the project in 2011. 
That project has helped about 24 artists learn to work with clay, said Shelly Tyshka, the studio's executive director. The grant funded the equipment and supplies for clay projects as well as partial scholarships for the artists.

Ceramics pieces are popular with artists at Paint a Miracle; they are displayed and sold at the studio's gallery show and fundraiser in the spring.  (Credit: Kristen Bull)

Congressman Peters: We Need to Embrace Art
by Brendan McGaughey, Rochester Patch. 1/31/11.

Art is one of the most basic forms of self-expression and, in some cases, an outlet to discover your full potential and artistic style.
That's what Congressman Gary Peters found on Monday when he visited Paint a Miracle, a Rochester art studio that helps people who are living with disabilities.
Peters, the Democrat who represents Rochester and Rochester Hills, visited with artists at the studio, which recently received a state grant to allow the artists to work with clay.
“It was great to be here to see the folks working with art and pottery,” Peters said.  “It’s so important to their therapy to bring out artistic talents and creativity that people have inside of them.”

Friday, October 8, 2010

Expressions In Clay: Summer 2010

This summer, a dream six years in the making came to fruition for Paint a Miracle. Thanks to the donation of a kiln from Paint Creek Center for the Arts and a memorial fund set up by the family of former artist, Debbie Malesko, we were able to establish a clay studio in our new location. This coincided with a grant from the Michigan Council of Arts and Cultural Affairs and the National Endowment for the Arts which enabled us to expand our clay offerings to serve a greater number of artists living with disabilities and to provide artists with a fantastically rich clay experience.

Sneak Peak In The Ceramics Studio
Works in Progress
The Summer Program offered a one of a kind experience. Artists were instructed by staff and local clay artists in multiple hand-building techniques. Opportunities to explore and practice these techniques culminated in the construction of a vast array of extraordinary functional vessels and sculptural works.

Artists Working In The Studio
In addition to the rich creative experience enjoyed by all, the collaborative nature of the class helped artists cultivate new friendships and offer support to one another. Through the planning and execution of these many art-making endeavors, artists were engaged in creative problem solving and decision making. Artists had the opportunity to communicate their ideas through their words and their work.

Ceramic Birds Created By Student Artists
Multiple Techniques On One Beautiful Bowl
The Program took our artists on a creative journey within an accessible and supportive environment ideal for self-discovery. The artists’ finished work is a reminder to celebrate who we are and what we are capable of.

Expressive Mask With A Multiple Vessel Sculpture
Lovely Plate With Leaf Imprints
These works and many more were featured at the Downtown Rochester Gallery Stroll on September 24th and are currently on exhibit in the studio. If you are interested in purchasing a piece, please contact us at 248-652-2702.

Ceramics On Display At The Gallery Stroll