Note FromChief Executive
Officer, John Black
Peer Recovery Art Project, Inc. PO BOX 5354 Modesto CA 95352
COMMuNIty REPORt 2012 “There’s A Place in Our Community for Everyone”2012 was an amazing year for Peer Recovery Art Project! We learned to be a working business entity with all inherent ramifications. Payroll, timekeeping and budgeting became daily tasks, handled well by our executive board, program administrator, bookkeeper, gallery coordinator, staff and volunteers. Simultaneously, we expanded our operation in community festivals, street fairs and events. We held a once-in-a-lifetime gala grand opening and Modesto Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting the same day. The community welcomed us and many originally negative or neutral about our purpose began to support our efforts. Our pool of participating artists swelled above 175, the number of gallery visitors skyrocketed and business partners increased dramatically. A very innovative idea? Yes! We have won local and national awards for mentoring people of all ages in a variety of ways and for our intensive community outreach.
Art is a basic necessity for everyone
in Stanislaus County, from poor to elite;
for the very young as well as those of us
in that rapidly growing segment of our
community’s “aging” population.
How do you measure Innovation? What
if we, like many art organizations, simply
say artists themselves are the innovators
and the artworks, the artists’ creations,
are the measurement? Not so easy since
artwork is defined much like beauty
which, as they say, “is in the eye of the
beholder.”Continued on page 2
“Peer Recovery Art Project is an art collaborative in which some of the contributing artists may have lived experience as mental health consumers and their art may reflect that experience but the emphasis is on respect of the art.” “th
Community Report 2012
Continued from page 1
We believe there are three questions to
answer to justify our existence and keep Peer
Recovery Art Project fiscally responsive to its
funders.
#1: How much do we do?
#2: How well do we do it?
#3: Is anyone better off?
Page 2 2012 Community Report www.peerrecoveryartproject.org
Peer Recovery Art Project
How Much We Do... • More than 80
community members of
all ages custom painted
over 200 donated bowls
for Second Harvest Food
Bank’s Empty Bowls
benefit.
• We participated in
every month’s 3rd
Thursday Art Walk
with exhibits at both the
gallery and the Barkin’
Dog Grill. Eighty-
four visitors came to the gallery in January, before our doors officially
opened. By March we had our Seller’s Permit and could market artists’
work at 70% commission. Attendance peaked at more than 600 during
November.
• We opened gallery
doors to foot traffic
February 2 when165 people
enjoyed the gallery. Our
socialization/meditation
station at the front of the
gallery drew musicians,
held meetings, and inspired introspection and rest. The Gallery Grand
Opening and Modesto Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting ceremony
were held April 4. Simultaneously, youth demonstrated spraycan art and
James Prigoff presented the History of Graffiti at the State Theatre.
• Various art-
supporting organizations,
including Modesto Artist
Meet Up, conducted
meetings in the gallery.
• A family-oriented St.
Patrick’s Day art contest was
judged by gallery visitors.
• Community members
sponsored 48 visual artists through donations of gift cards, cash and/or
[email protected] 2012 Community Report Page 3
Modesto Architecture Festival.
We participated in Patterson Teen
Center’s Grand Opening; Modesto
Chamber of Commerce Business-
to-Business Trade show; Cesar
Chavez Day; BHRS’ Day of Hope,
StanUp for Wellness and Diversity Week events; Youth Leadership
Summit; Modesto Pride Festival and Taste of McHenry Village.
• We took the lead
on the Modesto Graffiti
Mural Project Campaign
and Wells Fargo Bank
financially supported
Aaron Vickery’s painting
of a yellow hot rod on the
exterior wall of the gallery.
• An inspiring
Art Meets Fashion
Show was held
August 11; Yvette
LaForce singluarly
exhibited her work
in September; we produced a live CD of soloist Dellanora Green’s
songs, and many Hispanic and other friends enjoyed a Dia De Los
Muertos celebration in November.
Peer Recovery Art Project
art supplies. Artwork was exhibited in June.
• The self-named youth
group, “Hue Crew,”
in collaboration with
Hutton House, painted
an inspirational mural in
the County Courthouse and one for the Boys and Girls Club’s Haunted
House.
• Classes for all age
groups were held in knitting,
loom knitting, scrapbooking,
and projects for Mother’s and
Father’s Days. In addition,
young artists 14 to 25 years of age
enjoyed Summer Art Camp, learning
glitter art, drawing, comic book, paper
plate, mosaic, water color, collage,
charcoal, bracelet-making and other types
of art.
• Donors helped fund June’s “Modesto Blues Art and Music
Street Faire on J.” Thirty-fve artists showed more than 300 pieces.
• The gallery displayed thematic
exhibits and served as a refreshment
station during the fifth annual
Page 2 2012 Community Report www.peerrecoveryartproject.org
How Well We Do It...
Page 4 2012 Community Report www.peerrecoveryartproject.org
Peer Recovery Art Project
Actual Survey Results
Artist Responses
Consumer Volunteer and Artist or Staff Responses
Gallery Visitor Responses
Local Business Responses
[email protected] 2012 Community Report Page 3 [email protected] 2012 Community Report Page 5
Peer Recovery Art Project
Is Anyone Better Off...
Definitely!Check out these comments posted on the Great Nonprofits website in 2012
A client served wrote: “More and more I’m learning about my gifts and how to bring them into fruition. John Black has great vision and can see the gifts in each and every one of us. I know firsthand. He has empowered me and put me in the front lines to continue to grow by being a part of Peer Recovery Art Project. It is a great enriching venue for artists like myself. We are able to exhibit work in a place where we aren’t judged by our mental illness but accepted as artists.”
A six-year-old participant wrote: “It is very fun doing art and getting to show my art. I love everything about the gallery. Doing art classes there is very fun and I love it too.”
Dave Leon, Editor and Director of The Painted Brain magazine wrote: “The Peer Recovery Art Project is
at the forefront in the field of what works, recovery through action, through self-directed expression, through proving that mental health diagnosis says nothing about one’s potential. the painted brain stands proudly behind this incredible project with a whole heart and with open arms.”
A local artist wrote: “What’s great about Art For Freedom Art Gallery is it’s “open door” access it offers to all local artists wishing to show their work. After many years away from artmaking I started putting together a body of work late last summer, wondering where or when I would be able to show my paintings. As one of the artist who was in the group show when they first opened to the public, I have since seen a variety of artwork from quite a number of local talent, indicating the scope of the gallery’s inclusive outreach. I’ve been encouraging my former students who are pursuing their own art to contact the gallery that’s there to serve them - serving to benefit both them and the community.”
A volunteer wrote: “My experience has been wonderful. It has given me purpose and has allowed me to do something I absolutely love, help people and work with art! It has helped me to get out of my home and be involved with the community. I have gained such a high amount of self esteem and pride from doing the work that I have. I love knowing that I am doing something good for the community. My self image has improved greatly. I am very grateful that I have been able to be involved with this program.”
A member of a local group of professional artists wrote: “Modesto Artists have worked with
Peer Recovery Art Project for years and feels that this non-profit has enriched not just the lives of the artists that it helps but also has enriched the community. It is admired how empowering the organization is to people of all cultures and ages. Thank you Peer Recovery Art Project for all you do and will do in the future.”
A professional working with youth wrote: “I have worked with Peer Recovery Art project as a catalyst, and momentum builder for many of our youth who need an outlet and alternative to programs that may not be able to relate. Our youth have shown an interest and a desire for more creative programming as such.”
A mother wrote: “My daughter has shown her art with Peer Recovery Art Project for over the past two years. This
organization promotes an opportunity for all artists to gain self-respect and provides a positive environment, which includes individuals of all ages. Thank you.”
Another mother wrote: “Peer Recovery Art Project has given my son a voice via his Art about the Injustices in Society. Expressing himself via Art has allowed him to grow, be aware of his emotions and take his Art to a whole new journey/level. He is proudly a Tattoo Artist in one of the best Tattoo/Piercing Shops in the East Bay. His career as an Artist began in Modesto via Peer Recovery Art Project. Thank you to John Black, Monica Silva and all the Staff that make people’s Creative Expression come alive. Si Se Puede...Que Viva La Salud Mental!”
A member of the general public wrote: “Some of the best mental health/art advocacy Ive ever seen
in Modesto.”
PEER RECOVERy ARt PROJECt
BOARD MEMBERS AND OPERAtIONAL tEAM
John Black: CEO, Arts for Freedom Administrator, Operations Manager
Ken McCall: Chief Financial Officer
Carol Jo Hargreaves: Corporate Secretary , Editor
Jodi McClure: Bookkeeper
Michael Anderson: Art Director
Betty Barnes: Arts for Freedom Program Coordinator, Fundraising, Special Projects
Linda Hornsby-Black: Special Projects Manager
INCOME
Donations $ 9,267.14
Misc. Income 900.00
Non Profit Income 2,000.00
Total Income $12,167.14
EXPENSE
Bank Charges $ 79.00
Contractor 1,800.00
Stationery, Printing 60.04
Supplies 123.20
Total Expense 2,062.24
NET INCOME $10,104.90
OTHER INCOME/EXPENSE
Interest Earned $ .07
Misc. expense $ 1.95
NET OTHER $ - 1.88
NET INCOME $10,103.02
MHSA Arts for Freedom Program
January - December 2012
INCOME
Donations $ 2,937.72
Sponsors 250.00
MHSA Funding 98,738.00
Consignments 6,420.90
Special Fundraising 1,025.20
Grants 6,000.00
In-Kind 916.43
Total Income $116,288.25
EXPENSE
Non-Recurring $ 9.938/20
Operating Exp. 29,019.81
Other Direct Op. 6,459.88
Personnel 74,868.10
Recon. Discrepancies - .03
Total Expense $ 120,285.96
NET INCOME $ -3,997.71
OTHER INCOME/EXPENSE
Interest Earned $ .08
Misc. expense $ 38.00
NET OTHER $ - 37.92
NET INCOME $ - 4,035.63
Page 6 2012 Community Report www.peerrecoveryartproject.org
Alismolo rtionse duisit irit.Modesto Toyota• Community • Transitional Resources, Inc.Ceres Rotary Club • FoundationWells Fargo Bank• Sierra Pacific • Warehouse GroupUnited Way of • Stanislaus CountyCardoza and • AssociatesDavis Guest Home• Stanislaus County • BHRSState Theatre of • ModestoModesto View • magazineSkip’s Music• Alhambra Water•
We thank the following for their generosity:
Financial ReportPeer Recovery Art Project
Peer Recovery Art Project’s
Arts for Freedom program is
sponsored by Stanislaus County
Board of Supervisors and
Stanislaus Behavioral Health
and Recovery Services