Impacting lives with ArtAbilities
August 26, 2022Barb Kessler loves to tell the story of seeing a sparkle in the eyes of one of our contributing artists.
“When she heard one of her pieces had been placed behind a buyer’s office desk, her eyes lit up,” she says with a gleam of her own.
The artist’s painting had sold at an annual art auction held yearly to help support a very unique art program that MBS Communications holds dear. In 2013, MBS partnered with the art program to create ArtAbiliites, our exclusive line of sympathy, note cards, and reminder cards. ArtAbilities recognizes and celebrates the work of the amazing artists at Community Support Systems. The agency serves individuals with disabilities in a community that neighbors MBS’s hometown.
Passion, Impact, and Growth
Kessler, the Community Day Services Coordinator at CSS, is passionate about the program because of the impact it has on the participants.
Currently, there are 42 participants with 4 or 5 soon to be added. Each participant receives approximately 45 minutes of instruction per session. Art instructors Karen Weber and Jan VonBokel assist by sketching out subject matter chosen by participants, mixing paints, and providing physical assistance if needed.
Painting sessions are held twice weekly with approximately eight participants at a session. Weber and VonBokel alternate between instruction time.
VonBokel is just as passionate about the art classes, so much so that she does not mind her 1 hour and 20-minute commute to work! She loves the positive energy she feels at CSS.
Creative Outlet
She says the art class is therapy for the participants, an outlet, and a means for them to develop their creative skills. Those skills go beyond the classroom walls, she says, to have a positive impact on the daily life of each participant.
And for Weber, seeing how painting is relaxing and enjoyable for participants has taught her that it is about the process, not the end product.
Kessler is proud to say that the art program is now self-sufficient thanks in part to the annual auction, and to the portion of ArtAbilities card sales proceeds that MBS donates thanks to our customers’ support.
CSS just observed its 60th anniversary this summer with its annual art auction, food, and music to celebrate the occasion. More than 40 pieces of CSS participants’ art were auctioned off for a record-breaking profit.
When we first introduced the ArtAbilities line nearly 10 years ago, we thought this quote from Impressionist Edgar Degas was a perfect introduction:
“Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.”
Helping others see the talent of the artists in CSS’s art program has been a great honor for us. We sincerely thank all our customers who’ve purchased ArtAbilities cards. Don’t miss out on these beautiful cards; look now at this very unique and wonderful line.
