Our Story
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PASSION WORKS - DESCRIPTION
Passion Works Studio is a collaborative community arts center located in Athens, Ohio at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. At the heart and soul of Passion Works is a core group of practicing professional artists with developmental differences. People who were historically perceived as unemployable non-viable citizens, are today creating visual evidence of the depth and wealth of the creative human spirit. Offered a responsive structure, quality materials and welcoming space the artists reciprocate with wildly imaginative, beautiful creations that are fresh and approachable. Passion Works Artists are:
What is dramatic is the absolute joy that is experienced in the studio by the artists, volunteers, staff and customers. The secret sauce is creating an environment where people are encouraged to explore materials and ideas, collaborate and discover individually within a group. We all need connection and purpose to thrive and the studio respects individual expression while offering the benefit of working within a collaborative/connected environment. Creating connection for anyone who was perceived through their differences and now recognized for their strengths, talents and uniqueness is liberating. The studio’s social design has become a natural and attractive intersect for our very diverse community to come together. |
Mallory Valentour, Creative Foundations Program Coordinator with Artist Tiffany Grubb and Artist-in-Residence Tina Kelsey.
Artist Gabby Moulton with Senior Artist-in-Residence Wendy Minor-Viny.
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A NEW PARTNERSHIP MODEL FOR PROGRAMMING
Passion Works is a collaborative community arts center. Nested within the studio is our programming partner Creative Foundations (www.creativefoundations.org). Creative Foundations is a program that supports people with developmental disabilities through day programming and residential services. Creative Foundations supports Passion Works artists with transportation and personal supports during their experience in the studio. |
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WHAT SETS PASSION WORKS APART FROM OTHER ORGANIZATIONS?
Typically people who experience developmental disabilities are served within isolated environments with very little expectation for individual development. Because there is no expectation, minimal opportunity exists. Without community connection, purpose or opportunity people will fail to thrive. This is why Passion Works is dedicated to demonstrating the power of the human spirit and welcoming other communities to replicate and make their own like community collaborative spaces. Though community art making Passion Works Studio is enriching the cultural experience, creative economy and encouraging new tourism opportunities for Athens, Ohio. Passion Works is focused on creating the richest experience possible for its members and community. We are equally passionate about opening up the experience nationally and internationally for organizations/communities. Today, Passion Works Studio is also a training center where participants witness the “Creative Abundance Model” (www.creativeabundancegroup.com) and leave with strategies to encourage similar programing that respond to their own unique opportunities. |
Creative Foundations Program Director Nancy Epling and Passion Works Artist Tiffany Grubb wearing tiaras made in collaboration with Tina's Tiaras
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THE CREATIVE ABUNDANCE MODEL
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The Creative Abundance Model (“Upcycling Sheltered Workshops” Ohio University Press writers: Susan Dlouhy, Passion Works Director of Operations and Patty Mitchell, Passion Works Executive Director.) is a 12-stage framework for transforming segregated institutional spaces and programming into vibrant community-centric places. The Creative Abundance Model (featured in the PBS documentary “Creative Abundance”) focuses on 12 key concepts:
This responsive model has been implemented within adult day programs, extended care facilities, domestic violence shelters, schools and wherever it is invited. Community planners, business leaders, non-profit directors and more can learn how to incorporate the Creative Abundance Model into programming to enrich community development. The world’s largest minority, people living with intellectual disabilities, are within every community, large and small, across the globe. The world will benefit from having more spaces where people with different abilities are welcome to gather in anticipation of connection and purpose – making and sharing together toward social justice and building stronger societies. Learn more at: www.creativeabundancegroup.com MANAGEMENT TEAM
Since 2017, Creative Abundance Consulting has been the management entity for Passion Works Studio in Athens, Ohio.
How are Passion Works and Creative Abundance Consulting connected? Creative Abundance CEO, Patty Mitchell founded Passion Works in 1998. She began an experimental art studio within a sheltered workshop in Athens, Ohio. She approached the opportunity collaborating with people through individual interests and ability. The studio grew and also responded to needs of the sheltered workshop (engaging programming, employment options) and community (volunteer participation, cultural identity, tourist destination, higher education service learning). Passion Works has been wildly successful creating fine art, holding gallery exhibitions, and designing public art works and products. Its signature product, the Passion Flower, is the “Official Flower of Athens Ohio”. Over 26,000 hand painted sculptural flowers have been made from up-cycled aluminum. Passion Work Artists are recognized and truly renowned celebrities. Patty Mitchell is the Chief Executive Officer of the Creative Abundance Consulting. She has worked since 1994 as an Artist in Residence and social innovator specializing in collaborations between makers with and without perceived differences. As an Artist in Residence Patty has helped organizations nationally and internationally with start-up arts programming ventures. Patty received a Distinguished Alumna Award from Ohio University’s College of Fine Art, Ohio-ana Citation for Art and Education, Individual Artist Award from the Ohio Arts Council, Citizen of the Year from Civitan and The Keystone Award from Ohio University for outstanding community service. Patty received her BFA and MFA from Ohio University’s Fine Art Photography program. She is currently a Community Fellow at Ohio University with the Barbara Geralds Storytelling Institute. Susan Dlouhy is the Chief Operating Officer of the Creative Abundance Consulting. She has worked for more than 30 years in a variety of administrative and executive roles supporting people with disabilities. She served as the director of two sheltered workshops in Ohio and has consulted with organizations in more than 20 states. She worked as the administrator for a statewide association for 12 years, where she developed training and provided technical assistance to sheltered workshops and adult day programs across Ohio. Susan also worked as a CARF surveyor for over 25 years. She is Managing Director and founder of Norwich Consulting Services, which provides technical assistance and training in the areas of community employment, strategic planning, and executive leadership mentoring. She has served as the interim director for numerous organizations and has helped transform programming to the Creative Abundance Model. Susan obtained her Bachelor’s Degree from Kent State University and her Master’s Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from The Ohio State University. FUNDING HISTORY Historically, Passion Works was a subsidiary of a government entity (Athens County Board of Developmental Disabilities) and a Sheltered Workshop (ATCO, Inc.). For the first 19 years of operations, funding for the organization was supported by a combination of county tax levy dollars, product and fine art sales and grants. In 2018, Passion Works became an independent, free-standing 501(c)3 Not-for-Profit Corporation responsible for its operations. The transition has created more participation, an increase in community partnerships and more flexibility for the organization, thus an immediate need for a dramatic increase in revenue. Passion Works is recognized by Guidestar (www.guidestar.org) as a Gold Organization |
www.creativeabundancegroup.com
21 Guitar Salute Show at The Union, Athens, OH 2019
Nelsonville Music Festival "Letters", Designed by Passion Works, 2018
Passion Works Founder and Executive Director Patty Mitchell with a visiting Tibetan Monk
Passion Works Director of Operations Susan Dlouhy with young studio volunteer Emersen Kidd.
Passion Works receives funding from the Ohio Arts Council
Passion Works has a Gold Seal of Transparency from Guidestar
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The Passion Flower
The Passion Flower is the essence of Athens, Ohio. Since 1998 artists with and without developmental differences, from Passion Works Studio, have been making these metal sculptures from up-cycled aluminum newspaper printing plates. Adding bright color, texture and form the studio has produced and sold over 24,000 pieces nationally and internationally.
Traditionally, people who experience developmental differences have been offered very systematic predictable/assembly style work options. The design of this art product turns this notion upside-down. The design of the petal shapes were made from drawings by PW Artist Carolyn Williams, painters collaborate in the production of the flower adding texture and design through their own individual talents and interests. The color palette is consistent and each flower is a unique representation of the collective makers.
Visitors are welcome to visit Passion Works located at 20 E. State St. uptown Athens, Ohio and experience the production of the Passion Flower. Passion Flowers are available for purchase on location and through the studio’s website.
Traditionally, people who experience developmental differences have been offered very systematic predictable/assembly style work options. The design of this art product turns this notion upside-down. The design of the petal shapes were made from drawings by PW Artist Carolyn Williams, painters collaborate in the production of the flower adding texture and design through their own individual talents and interests. The color palette is consistent and each flower is a unique representation of the collective makers.
Visitors are welcome to visit Passion Works located at 20 E. State St. uptown Athens, Ohio and experience the production of the Passion Flower. Passion Flowers are available for purchase on location and through the studio’s website.
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