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I am Judy Gittelsohn, a painter specializing
in acrylics on canvas. My paintings are color studies of simple
objects. As well as exhibiting and painting, I have been trained
and work as the “Golden Paints Working Artist” demonstrating
and teaching marvelous things about paint that I never learned in
art school.
Another aspect of my work is teaching art or encouraging people
to make art. I teach art to artists. I teach to people with developmental
disabilities, to at-risk youth, to low-income groups, to abused
kids and to people in the hospital. With my methods I have inspired
my students, no matter what their abilities, to draw, paint, make
murals, to express themselves. The artwork they make is fresh and
surprising. It is filled with unexpected combinations that are as
unique as their fingerprints.
My teaching methods are playful. I devise unconventional exercises
that let people simply enjoy the process and forget that they are
learning, making art, or expressing themselves. The result is that
students create beautiful, expressive artwork, without the feeling
that they have to be perfect. It is incredible to see them communicate,
express themselves and focus on art often times where they have
never done so before. The rewards are concrete and breathtaking.
In 2000, I received my first grant to teach art to people with developmental
disabilities at C.A.R (Community Association of Rehabilitation).
There, I produced a small book of their artwork, mounted three exhibitions
of their paintings and had five news articles written about this
work. The response was magnificent and the participants were gushing
with pride. This project led me down the path of working with unique
populations. I have since received several grants and taught many
classes at other organizations.
I am very grateful to the many organizations that sponsor the classes
I teach. However, there is a clear call for more services like them—services
that offer art instruction, exhibitions of the work and finally
create a product.
Due to the success of this work - I developed the concept of:
ART FOR WELL BEINGS
This would be a modern art center with classes, a gallery, web presence
and a television show. Modeled after a combination of the Creative
Center in New York City which serves people with cancer and my mentor
Elias Katz’s four all-day art centers for people with disabilities,
ART FOR WELL BEINGS will provide a focal point for people to express
themselves artistically.
The goal of ART FOR WELL BEINGS is to expand the opportunity for
people to make art. It will be particularly tailored to people who
benefit from or are in need of expression due to hurdles such as
health issues or life issues.
With the sponsorship of the Pacific Art League, and in partnership
with art therapist Carla Brooke (the Traveling Art Program) and
several local organizations, I am helping to plan ART FOR WELL BEINGS,
and to seek funding for this program.
It is wonderful to partner with a forward thinking organization.
It is in this way goals are met and art reaches more people.
Of importance is that this work helps form my direction as an artist.
The students stimulate my creativity like dreams. When participants
come up with rare combinations or discordant concepts it is living
poetry--which I always appreciate. The intimacy of making art and
sharing art making with others continues to inform my way. ART FOR
WELL BEINGS will offer this same energy to artists in the role of
teachers who will simultaneously be serving our community.
Immediately, there is opportunity for volunteers to work on a cable
TV show.
If you would like to know more please contact me. Thank you,
Sincerely,
Judy Gittelsohn
me@judyg.com
www.judyg.com
www.artforwellbeings.org
HAVE YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO WORK ON TV?
NOW IS YOUR CHANCE. YOU MAY BE TRAINED FOR A SMALL FEE AT THE LOCAL
PUBLIC ACCESS TV STATION AND THEN HELP PRODUCE A SHOW “ART
FOR WELL BEINGS”
IF INTERESTED – CONTACT JUDY GITTELSOHN me@judyg.com
PLEASE READ this issue’s ARTICLE “ART FOR WELL BEINGS
– An Introduction”
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