In 2000, fifteen years after the first PB&J, the Campus art program was founded by the late Thomas P. Seigenthaler, Father Strobel’s brother-in-law. “Tom taught the value of art to all who met him. But more importantly, he learned from everyone he came in contact with. That is what made him uniquely Tom in his approach to life. His reason for teaching art at the Campus, to those on the margins of society, was rooted in his own words: ‘People gain self-esteem through the creative process.’”
As he prepared to teach his first Campus art class, Tom Seigenthaler put together a plan consisting of ten lessons. Lesson one, the triangle, square, and circle: all art is rudiment to these three geometric shapes. Tom explained this concept to his first class of twelve students. The following week, Tom was greeted by twelve brand new students and a discovery of the transient nature of the general population. So Tom started again—the triangle, square, and circle. Tom never got to lesson two. The staff referred to this phenomenon as “Groundhog Art” after Bill Murray’s well-known film.
According to the American Art Therapy Association, art therapy is based on the belief that the creative process involved in the making of art is healing and life-enhancing. Through creating art, talking about art, and the process of art-making with an art therapist, one can increase awareness of self, cope with symptoms, stress, and traumatic experiences, enhance cognitive abilities, and enjoy the life-affirming pleasures of artistic therapy.
Edith Costanza, M.Ed., is staff art therapist for the Room In The Inn Campus art program. “Art from The Odyssey Program (a two-year intensive recovery program at the Campus) deals in some way with recovery, with the 12 Steps as the focal point. The praying hands exemplify faith; the eagle represents hope and a belief in fulfilling our dreams; our Face of Recovery shows our humanness and desire to be better people, and our latest Odyssey projects are about change and patience.” Costanza coordinates an army of artists and corporate sponsors who donate their time and materials to make sure the program stays a strong and effective source of healing and change in the lives of those in recovery. Along with this community of volunteers, she staffs a program brimming with different styles and medium opportunities. The day we were there, the budding artists were working in fabric (Costanza’s specialty), wood, glass, paint, and clay. Art was being created from everywhere and everything. There’s an entire community to thank: “We owe thanks to the Frist, whose generous public relations program allows Odyssey to view amazing national and international exhibits, and to the Film Festival, who invited us to sell art at the festival in conjunction with some of the films that deal with societal topics such as homelessness. Also, we cannot overestimate what the Belmont art program has given us.”
Lectures, art exhibits, film festivals, yoga, and sculpture are just a few examples of ways the new Campus building will encourage creative growth and artistic recovery. There will be an art gallery at the entrance with specialized lighting to highlight the art. The tree of life memorial tree will be a permanent installation honoring participants who have passed away. The art room is a focal point of the education wing. The classroom will be equipped with Internet, a kiln, and outdoor studio. In the educational wing, a large space with professional lighting has been identified to allow visiting artists the ability to use the Campus as a venue for art shows, allowing participants to enjoy rotating art as well as bringing new artists and art lovers into the facility. Artist Edie Maney and photographer Jerry Atnip will hang inaugural exhibits.
It is proven—art provides an opportunity for us to change for the better, but Campus Executive Director Rachel Hester believes people change in their time, not ours. “Although we want change for them, self-realization occurs when they have the strength to face issues that stand in the way of change. Art can bring them into an experience of a creative community that can encourage such change.”
Father Strobel sees a cathartic commonality in the artwork produced at the Campus. “I see all the bright and joyful colors of hope and joy. I seldom see themes that are dark, dreary, and depressing, but themes that are full of life and promise. It makes you wonder that if their lives on the surface appear to be so bleak and gloomy, then how do you explain such optimism.”
by Jim Reyland | photography by Jerry Atnip
The Room In The Inn Downtown Campus will hold an open house and ribbon-cutting ceremony on September 9 at 705 Drexel Street at 8th Avenue South. The event begins at 11 a.m. with tours offered 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. It’s an opportunity to view the latest art creations and to tour the many new artistic spaces. If you would like more information about volunteering or to sponsor an exhibit or sale of Campus art, call 615-251-9791 or visit www.roomintheinn.org.
Jim Reyland is a twenty-five-year volunteer with Room In The Inn. He is also a playwright and producing artistic director of Writer’s Stage theatre. His new play, A Terrible Lie, will receive a fully staged workshop October 18 through November 21, 2010 at Writer’s Stage/The Next Level; 1008 Charlotte Ave. www.writersstage.com has the full schedule. Or call 615-636-9177.
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