I deeply value the experience that I had while working here. ArtWorks helped me learned more about the world of art and its use as a career. Even though I have not yet decided what career I should pursue, ArtWorks gave me the chance to preview many art careers before I actually go into one.

Dear Ms. Smith:

When I picked Cleveland up from work today, he had a mouthful to tell me about two speakers who came to the program.  Apparently, he was very impressed with what they shared with the group. 

I wanted to personally "thank you" for exposing him to positive young men, who are making a difference in our community. Our generation needs to be reminded and see that there are extraordinary speakers and leaders that care about them. 

So again, thank you!

Regina Walton

"St. Louis ArtWorks apprentices created fantastic murals for the Deaconess Foundation. The student/apprentices work--displayed throughout our offices--is thought provoking, visually appealing and expresses the core of our mission."

I had the opportunity to work with ArtWorks on the Whitaker Urban Concert poster project for Grace Hill Settlement House. It was a good experience all the way around. First, they were professional. They submitted several different ideas and worked with us on the final execution. They were enthusiastic, passionate, and took direction well. Secondly, it made us proud to know that our poster was created by a young, aspiring artist working within a top-notch not-for-profit organization. Working with ArtWorks is a win-win for everyone.

St. Louis ArtWorks was a wonderful experience to me these past months, and I wish I could continue to work for them. It was not only a job for me, but it allowed me to learn something new. I looked forward to going to work every Saturday to be with friends, new artists, and to learn something new on those new computers. The experience was fun, especially when we got to play in Photoshop with our drawings. Working for St. Louis ArtWorks allowed me to prepare for college. Since I’m going to be an architect, I needed to improve my skills in drawing, drafting, and listening.

The one experience that I enjoyed at ArtWorks was that in my group, the Shade Shelter, our group designed a shade shelter for the teens who worked on the science corner. So when they went on break they wouldn’t have to sit in the hot sun. I also enjoyed going on all the field trips like the sculpture park. I really enjoyed myself. To be an artist I think it means to be creative and different and have your own personal style. My experience from working with ArtWorks influenced my ideas about art. The artist that I worked with taught me how to think outside the box and don’t be afraid to take chances. I also think that this is a great experience for all teens who love to make art.

I believe an artist is someone who uses anything to relay a message or uses anything to express themselves or a state being. Through Saint Louis ArtWorks I have been able to make art in a variety of ways. I have been a part of the drawing/ painting discipline during summer 2006 and through the Creative Futures program I have been able to be a part of both the benches/chairs discipline as well as the doorways discipline. I have learned how to make something that expresses an idea, thought, or theme with the help of ArtWorks. The organization has also allowed me to learn how to do new things like graphic design, and how to construct something as sophisticated as an artistic chair.

ArtWorks has allowed me to think differently. I have realized I can be not only creative in words, but rather in the way I draw, color choice, and my use of object placement within an piece of artwork. I appreciate the opportunity Saint Louis ArtWorks has given me because it has allowed me to gain knowledge about new ways to construct art and technology. The organization has allowed me the chance to make art for a client or clients. This allows me to get my artwork out there as well as allowing people to see my creativity. Ultimately Saint Louis ArtWorks has been a very beneficial by providing me with the opportunity to sell, make, construct, and most importantly having my work displayed at no cost to me.

“Naturally, when we initially hired you for our project, we were pleased to work with an organization actively helping young people develop creative thinking and employment skills. As the process went on and we saw their initial presentations we were impressed with the work that they had put in to the project and the ideas they had come up with. When we wanted to make changes to their initial suggestions, we appreciated how willing and able they were to help incorporate our ideas into the cards. And finally, we love the end result!”

As an apprentice and a growing student, I was helped by St. Louis ArtWorks to love the work I do. I came with stage fright and left knowing how to get in front of family and friends and act. It also gave me a new way to look at art. First it was just a word, not that much but now it is to me passion, love, anger, and expression of one man’s mind telling a story of lives. That’s why I love St. Louis ArtWorks. Even as the year is over and the job ended, I tell every one how much St. Louis ArtWorks helped me in school to learn how to be in school plays and how to get in programs.

“Several things have impressed us concerning the ArtWorks program as we have worked with administration, mentors and the young people involved in our project. Foremost is commitment on the part of all three groups—administration and mentors to making the students experience both instructive and fulfilling—and the students to learning about the topic they are depicting and to creative expression of their perceptions.

We particularly were struck by the efforts to approach the task in a professional manner—the students came to our site for a client conference, asked many good questions about what we do and why, and translated those ideas into a work that has meaning to us because it has meaning to them.”