Advocacy
The ABC Project
artist donated display panels. The
nearest Michael’s store provided the
frames at a good price.
We launched the exhibit with a
reception. It was wonderful to see
the artists arrive with their families
to see their work exhibited in a shop
right on the town square. The local
newspaper came to interview the artists, and families took photos of them
with their work. Bid sheets were laid
out and the community rallied to
support the artists.
Samantha Melvin
As a K– 5 art teacher, I know
that when members of
the community have the
opportunity to view the
work of their friends and families,
there are favorable results. Young artists come to understand that their
work is appreciated, and the community develops an artistic awareness.
People learn to seek out exhibits and
opportunities to make art, to learn
and build on techniques, and to display work. Relationships formed in
this way feed the support needed to
retain, enhance, or begin art programs. This was my motivation as I
began to teach art once a week at our
local Boys & Girls Club.
strated a significant span of ability.
I collected different materials from
the community including fabric from
a local interior decorating shop, and
mat board from the frame shop.
The project was
about empowerment through art,
as well as being
an opportunity to
support an after-school program.
This was no small
task, but together we set about creating an incredible exhibit known as
the ABC Project, which stands for Art
Builds Confidence; Art Builds Community; and Art Benefits Children.
Celebration
In the end, the Boys & Girls Club
raised about $1000. Because the overall support for the club was so great,
the club’s corporate board elected
to allocate those funds to the fine-arts program, thus ensuring that the
youth continue to experience fine
arts programming.
Special thanks to Michael’s in
Georgetown, Texas, and in Burnet:
Treasures on the Square, Kiri’s Coffee
Shop, Custom Creations and Interiors, Artisan, Arenello Salon, and the
underwriters of the project. Many
thanks also to Crayola and Elizabeth
Willett for providing art supplies.
The project was about
empowering through
art, as well as being an
opportunity to support an
after-school program.
Samantha Melvin
is now teaching art,
music, and theatre
at RJ Richey Elementary in Burnet,
Texas. She continues to teach art at the
Boys & Girls Club and is preparing for the
next ABC Project exhibit. artteaches@
hotmail.com
The Mission
Our club was experiencing some
financial stress, so I suggested putting on a student work exhibition and
silent auction. The artwork would be
created in our art sessions and later
displayed at a local coffee shop.
Students represented kindergarten
through seventh grade and demon-
The Exhibit
Thirty-eight works were donated to
the club by young artists. I sent out
an e-mail to friends and parents of
club members inviting them to sponsor the framing of the artwork. Several generous people contributed to
the underwriting of the frames. The
local frame shop cut mats, and a local
Students use different media, techniques, and processes to communicate ideas, experiences, and stories.
artsonia.com/boys7
naea2008.digication.com/theabcproject
