REACHing for more

Alice Brinkman, executive director of REACH, is looking forward to the new possibilities that the youth gallery will bring. Prior to this gallery, REACH paired up with local spaces to display students’ artwork.

“At the end of each term, we like to celebrate what we’ve done,” Brinkman said. “[The gallery] will be a nice place to have to exhibit our students’ work and leave up for a while.”

Over $97,000 was raised through a Patronicity crowdfunding campaign and an associated matching grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corp. These funds went toward the first phase of REACHs “Expanding Our REACH” capital improvement project.

The long-term project includes the repurposing of five abandoned storefronts in REO Town to expand the community art center. The first phase included the successful completion of the youth gallery and a courtyard. An advertising mural for Pillsbury flour from the 1920s was uncovered during construction of the gallery, and REACH managed to preserve the mural as part of the youth gallery space.

Phase two of the project will include a new main hub, including a teen classroom, a lobby and a separate entrance to the courtyard. Guests currently have to enter the courtyard through a classroom, which can be messy during winter and spring.

“It will be really exciting to get phase two done,” said Brinkman. “It will be a huge game changer for REACH.”

The first exhibit featured in the new youth gallery will be the REACH Teen Open Studio’s “Portfolio Project.” Joy Baldwin, program director and volunteer coordinator, worked with teens during the project, helping them put together a portfolio of their work. The “Portfolio Project” is a 128- page, full-color collection featuring over 600 pieces of artwork created by teen REACH students.

Baldwin said that the project has had a positive impact in the lives of multiple teens, including one girl who cried tears of joy upon seeing her artwork on a poster advertising the gallery’s opening.

Her mother emailed Baldwin explaining how important that was to her.

“It’s truly beautiful hearing these things coming from parents,” Baldwin said.

REACH offers classes for both youth and adults, and class fees are on a sliding scale based on household income. Its mission is built on the premise that “art is a powerful tool to change and improve the lives of our community’s youth.” The new gallery space is another step forward in that mission.

“Learning how to do the art is important,” Brinkman said. “Giving (students) an opportunity to show their art really affirms them as human beings.”

For those unable to attend the unveiling event, the gallery will also be open for viewing during REACH’s open house on March 21.

—ARIEL ROGERS

5:30-7 p.m. Thursday, March 19 FREE REACH Studio Art Center 1804 S. Washington Ave., Lansing (517) 999-3643, reachstudioart.org

REACH Studio Art Center Open

House 2-4 p.m. Saturday, March 21 FREE 1804 S. Washington Ave., Lansing (517) 999-3643, reachstudioart.org