CLEVELAND — On December 17th, a group of young artists will have a showcase of various forms of art in Cleveland Heights. The event is the culmination of a semester-long program called ArtWorks at the Center for Arts Inspired Learning (CAL). CAL is an arts education nonprofit that works with artists from all over the city to teach students how to integrate art into their learning.
President & CEO Sheffia Dooley says the program's impact is clear to see.
"This is a safe space for young artists to determine, how do I want to contribute to my community? How can I possibly make a living as an artist? I think one of the most important things about the ArtWorks program is the connection to the master teaching artist."
Professional artists in Cleveland from a wide variety of disciplines teach these students in specialized groups or co-ops, master teaching artists.
"We have upcycling, we have visual arts, there's hip-hop poetry, and Afro Fusion, the co-op that I'm teaching. This experience [can help students] seek out what opportunities or what organizations are in their area that they can start to take classes from," Master Artist Ron'dale Simpson explained.
Staff members Siaara Freeman and Darelle Hill, told 3News that the exposure learned through Artworks is one of the greatest gifts.
"What I think is the most transformative part is that they leave ArtWorks with not just art skills, but life skills," Freeman said.
"They also get the opportunity to interact with students from all different parts of Northeast Ohio. We got kids coming from Akron. We got kids coming from Bedford Heights, Cleveland Heights, Berea," added Hill.
The semester-long program culminates with ArtWorks Live - a giant showcase filled with vending, performance and student-generated art participants.
"We have a lot of stuff that we've been working really hard on, and I want all our hard work to show," said student Mikaili Clark.
And for some students like Amier Reasor-Wilson, the experience is one they will carry into the future with them.
"Artworks has allowed me to express myself very well and gain confidence in myself."
ArtWorks Live will be held this Saturday at Disciples Christian Church at 3663 Mayfield Road in Cleveland Heights. The event will begin at 1 p.m. with doors opening at 12:45 p.m.