by TASI Executive Director, Greg Busceme, Sr.
I am very happy to say, recently we have been inundated with mental health groups utilizing our facility for various programs. Since we participated in the Empty Bowls Program with United Way, we have had a huge response from the various care facilities under the United Way banner. We are booking different groups who want to expand their activities and are looking for positive, uplifting, and fun events to brighten the day of clients and facilitators. Along with UW and its programs we are also hosting a secular homeschool group monthly, a class in Shebari (Japanese rope tying), an LGBTQ+ spiritual group, along with our lineup of classes from outside The Studio and inside, that is expanding every week it seems. It is my hope that other organizations find a way to utilize our facility for the betterment of all concerned.
We are hosting an exhibition called “The Art of Mental Health” that allows people to express their own views of their world. The funny thing is The Studio and United Way have such different purposes, but we have found a way to work together through Empty Bowls but have found fertile ground for programs that, truly has an impact on the mental health of our community.
I am reminded of the German philosopher Schopenhauer, known as the artists’ Philosopher. Noted for his austerity in his work, the one bright note he had was that the only true path to happiness is through the arts. We seem to know this intuitively but over and over we find people who reject the idea of art as nothing more than entertainment and a trivial pursuit. Little do they know that the breakthroughs in mental health that people experience through the arts are a real and tangible thing. Aside from that, the joy and happiness that the students experience and their change in attitude through the arts cannot be downplayed. I see the light in their eyes and the smile on their face and a recognition of their own accomplishments in whatever discipline they experience
Gumbo Clayfest returns this July with more artists and the opportunity to see some amazing clay techniques and experience them firsthand while being able to engage directly with the artists. From knowledgeable craftspersons to rank beginners there is always something to learn from the vast array of ceramic mavens collected in one space. I truly hope local ceramists, potters, and clay people come to the workshop to learn what you don’t know and teach what you do know. You can save years of trial and error with one conversation or save someone from the same. We all have a role to play in the clay community. Time to share.
I am interested in learning more about visiting artists, residencies, and internships for the future, and how they can benefit our community as well as the clay community. These programs engage us with communities around the country and put us in a network of universities who view us as a rich area for their students to gain teaching experience and learn from another instructor.