108 Contemporary

PROJECT PURPOSE

FiberWorks is an annual art exhibition featuring juried artwork from the members of the Fiber Artists of Oklahoma group. Every year, the exhibition is held in various venues in Tulsa or Oklahoma City. Due to the pandemic, the exhibition was postponed for 2020 and 2021. Originally scheduled to be opened at 108 Contemporary in the summer of 2021, the exhibition is now set to run from June 3 ? July 23, 2022. Oklahoma artists will have the opportunity to market, show, and sell their artwork and make networking connections that could lead to additional commissions or other income opportunities. In connection to this exhibition 108 Contemporary will resume community outreach programming with our community partners serving vulnerable populations with a focus on fiber art. Partners include but are not limited to Women in Recovery, Yale Apartments, Altamont Apartments, Life Senior Services, and the Center for Individuals with Physical Challenges. Before the pandemic, 108 Contemporary regularly visited our partnering organizations to facilitate hands-on art workshops. These workshops provide participants with new skills, improvement with existing skills, social interaction, and health benefits. 108 Contemporary will connect these groups of underserved individuals and encourage networking connections, art therapy, and facilitate potential income.

EVIDENCE

In the American Journal of Public Health, ?The Connection Between Art, Healing, and Public Health: A Review of Current Literature? by Heather L. Stuckey and Jeremy Nobel it is stated that ?there are clear indications that artistic engagement has significantly positive effects on health.? In a time when public health is our top priority, medical and mental health services are overwhelmed, the benefits gained from art making are critical. Some of the health benefits found from this study were improved mood, decrease in pain severity, and increased energy.

POPULATION DESCRIPTION

Artist members of the group Fiber Artists of Oklahoma missed the opportunity to market, show, and sell their artwork in Oklahoma City in 2020 and in Tulsa during 2021. For many of these artists, living across Oklahoma, this annual exhibition provides direct sales income and commission opportunities. They also lost the opportunity for cash awards. Community partner organizations of 108 Contemporary that were regularly engaging in hands-on art activities were unable to continue during the pandemic. This loss of connection and creative outlet further contributes to isolation in already vulnerable populations like Women in Recovery, homeless outreach programs like Yale Apartments and Altamont, as well as senior service programs. Funding for these programs was dramatically decreased due to the pandemic. By reinvigorating our partnership with these organizations, their participants will gain artistic skills, art coping mechanisms, and possibly a new source of income. They can be inspired by the Fiber Artists of Oklahoma exhibition, proving that artists in Oklahoma can create artwork and make money from artwork sales. Making the connection between the Fiber Artists of Oklahoma group and our community partners will create much-needed social interaction while serving as a vehicle for inspiration, health benefits, and networking.

PERFORMANCE MEASURING

108 Contemporary staff members will collect participant counts including all workshops, gallery attendance, and exhibiting artists. Surveys will be given to each exhibiting artist and workshop participant. Total gross sales for the exhibition will be recorded.

ONGOING INVESTMENT AMOUNT

$

ONGOING INVESTMENT DESCRIPTION

None

ONGOING INVESTMENT REQUIRED

One-time project will not need continued funding