Partners In Art Benefits Talbot Mentors Center For Kids

Every year, Talbot Mentors’ Partners In Art program matches its students with local artists who volunteer studio time to share their skills with the kids. This year, the organization literally brought the program in-house to benefit not only the students, but Talbot Mentors itself.

Planning a full rehab of its outdated office space to improve functionality for both staff and students, Executive Director Natalie Costanzo and the Talbot Mentors board decided to use this year’s Partners In Art program as an opportunity to let the students take part in the changes. A number of the artists and students used their projects to add fun and artistic touches to the renovations.

Josh Payne worked with metal artist Karen O’Dowd to create a sculpture of a shark eating a turtle, entitled “Sebastian Devours Celty,” which has been installed outside the Talbot Mentors’ front door. Jalyn and Jahza Barney worked with woodworker and mentor Mike Gates to create a wooden bench. It, too, has been installed outside, and Costanzo declares it so comfortable that she will be having her tea there every day.

The highlight of the artistic projects, however, is on view as soon as one enters the front door. An entire wall of the spacious activity room has been covered in a glass mosaic, designed and executed by students with the help of mosaic artist Jen Wagner. With “Welcome” spelled out in pieces of stained and mirrored glass, outlines of kids, and hidden surprises of dragonflies and birds, the piece is a vibrant greeting that expresses the organization’s celebration and support of the children of Talbot County.

These and the other students’ artworks were unveiled at a reception on April 23. Fifteen students worked with the nine artists participating in this year’s Partners In Art Program, which is sponsored by the Talbot County Arts Council, with funds from the Talbot County Council.

In addition to O’Dowd, Gates and Wagner, the other artists who worked with students were Deborah Colborn, Linda Featherman, Peg Papa, Kat Parsons, Jacquie Pfaff-Pratt and Heidi Wetzel. Other media included oil and acrylic painting, basket weaving, voice and music writing and more.

At the reception, students presented bouquets of spring flowers to their artist mentors. Costanzo added her thanks for their participation, noting, “You are all amazing, with the time and energy and passion you share with the kids.”

She gave special recognition to Jen Wagner, who Costanzo said came every week for almost six months to work with the children on the mosaic. Four students worked consistently on the project, with others occasionally helping out.

With renovations on the new center not yet complete, a grand opening will be scheduled for a later date. Costanzo is excited about the organization’s improved ability to provide a space for kids “to hang out and visit,” and to offer activities and lessons to enhance the students’ Talbot Mentors experience.

Photos:

# 1 Left to right, Sacoya Williams and Doniya Crosland were among the students who worked with artist Jen Wagner to create Talbot Mentors’ new mosaic wall.

# 2 Jahza Barney shows off the bench he made with woodworker Mike Gates for the Talbot Mentors renovations through the Partners In Art Program.

# 3 Some of the students and artists who participated in this year’s Talbot Mentors Partners In Art Program gather in front of the new mosaic created by students with the help of glass artist Jen Wagner. Left to right, Johnathan Storch, Mariah Sanchez, Deborah Colborn, Peg Papa, Jahza Barney, Kat Parsons (front), Sacoya Williams, Doniya Crosland, Mike Gates, Josh Payne, Karen O’Dowd and Heidi Wetzel.