Artists at work

MSU’s Residential College in the Arts and Humanities and College of Engineering collaborated with Peckham to build a mosaic of nearly 200 pieces of artwork created by workers at Peckham, community artists and MSU students.

“The ‘Art@Work’ project demonstrates how the arts and culture can empower and unite people through work, education and the sharing of stories,” said Mitch Tomlinson, president and CEO of Peckham. “It is a wonderful illustration of diversity, community and inclusion.”

Guillermo Delgado, community artist and academic specialist for civic engagement at RCAH, came up with the idea for “Art@Work” but wasn’t sure of how to execute such a large project.

“I fell in love with the place but I didn’t know where to start,” Delgado said. “The main goal was to make (‘Art@Work’) inclusive so everyone could participate.”

Peckham received $130,000 in grants and $80,000 of in-kind gifts that went toward making “Art@Work” possible.

Vincent Delgado, assistant dean for civic engagement at RCAH, has been involved with the project since its inception.

“I’m most excited about the way (‘Art@ Work’) brings so many people together,” Delgado said. “The spirit of this project is to bring a lot of people together to tell their stories.”

Sarah Fagerman is an RCAH senior and has been involved in the Peckham art program for three semesters. Her involvement began in 2012 when she was a sophomore and enrolled in a class that included working with workers from Peckham on an art installation. Fagerman worked with a woman named Nikki who suffered an impairment of communication skills after a debilitating stroke.

“(Nikki’s) first paintings were dark in color, the people in them were sad and isolated,” Fagerman said. “The more progress she made throughout her recovery, the brighter they became as she regained some of that control over her body. It was truly amazing to hear her story and watch it actually unfold in her paintings.”

Through her time at Peckham, Fagerman learned of the power that art could have on one’s physical and emotional journeys.

“Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined how one class could change the course of my entire life,” Fagerman said.

“The arts connect and serve as a vehicle for us to share our personal histories with one another. That’s something I would experience many times over at Peckham.”

Students in the College of Engineering developed ideas for the design framework and partnered with RCAH students to prototype and implement viewing technology for “Art@Work.”

“This project represents a unique opportunity for students in engineering and the arts and humanities to combine their technical and creative skills for the benefit of yet another group — those working at Peckham,” said Tom Wolff, associate dean for undergraduate studies at the College of Engineering.

Peckham was founded in 1976 and is a nonprofit vocational rehabilitation organization. It employs workers with a wide variety of physical, cognitive, behavioral and socio-economic challenges.

Sandra Wolfe, a Peckham artist, spoke at the “Art@Work” final reveal, describing her journey with art.

“I lose myself in my artwork,” Wolfe said. “The classroom is an important place for all of us, whether you’re from MSU or you’re from Peckham. It’s a support group for all of us.

“Guillermo brings this absolutely wonderful group to us every week and we are so appreciative. I’d like to thank MSU for allowing me to be the best I can be.”

A video produced by Scott Allman for the final reveal can be viewed at vimeo. com/122467048.

Artwork from “Art@Work” can be viewed at artfrompeckham.com.