Anyone can do art, or at least that’s the philosophy the Open Studio Project and its founder Dayna Block adhere to.
Block and two other Chicago-area art therapists first opened the studio, now located at 903 Sherman Ave., in 1991 in Chicago with goals to make art and be of service to the community.
The nonprofit social service organization uses visual arts and writing programs to help both the general public and underserved populations learn how to channel creativity for personal growth during transitional or challenging times.
“We had been working in institutions and hospitals, and we’re given markers and paper and a half hour to work with people to do something that wasn’t as useful as it could be,” Block said. “All three of us felt our creative self was the best thing to offer and the best thing we could bring out in people. We knew this would have a much better impact, and it has.”
The organization made the move from Chicago to Evanston in 2000, and Block said the Evanston community has been welcoming and receptive.
Almost 3,000 people come through the studio each year for classes, workshops, community outreach events and open exhibits, Block said.
Furthermore, the studio has partnered with many other schools and community organizations, including PEER Services, the Evanston Community Foundation and the Evanston Youth Council.
“I went to my own community, and it was so much more impactful and effective,” said Block, who is also an Evanston resident. “We live in a community we care about and know people, and you can make a difference that way. We really have become more of a nonprofit entity.”
Because anyone can take classes at the art studio, diverse groups of people are able to take advantage of the program, from at-risk youth to the homeless to those who just want to relieve stress in their lives.
“We’ve seen huge successes with the process and program,” Block said. “We’ve seen people get new jobs, get married, plan all kinds of things. We’ve seen kids use this process to help them stay off drugs and alcohol.”
The studio, however, approaches art differently than other art therapy studios and art education centers. In all workshops and classes, teachers and participants go through the art-making process together from start to finish, which allows participants to view teachers as friends and fellow artists who can share in their challenges and achievements at the studio.
The four-fold process begins with participants making an “intention statement” about what they are thinking and feeling. Then, through techniques such as drawing, painting, sculpture and collage, they are given the tools and freedom to create any kind of art. Afterward, each person writes about their work and then has the opportunity to share their accomplishment with others in a group.
“It’s a very unique approach and positive preventive way of working with more vulnerable populations in our community,” Associate Director Sarah Laing said. “Instead of looking at them as problems, it looks as them as assets. They’re individuals.”
Despite the economy and a small budget, the studio is still able to do quite a lot with very little, Block said.
The studio provides roughly 34 percent of participants with reduced or no fees for classes through donations, according to the studio’s 2007 annual report.
“It’s come a really long way,” Laing said. “We’re been very good at diversifying our income and being able to serve different populations. I’m really proud of the work we’ve done.”
The studio’s Web site, openstudioproject.org, lists a variety of upcoming events, exhibits and class sessions.
“No matter what you’re going through in life, your creative side is always there as a resource,” Block said. “It’s what makes art so great. We’re trying to help people tap back into that instead of seeing art for just artists. We can all use that creative resource within ourselves because it’s really, really abundant.”
