Within the colorful walls of Passion Works Studio, people living with cerebral palsy, autism, Down syndrome and other disabilities become some of the town’s most treasured artists.
The Uptown studio’s renowned Passion Flower, made of recycled aluminum printing plates, has become an icon of Athens County, and one that’s opened Athenians’ eyes about the possibilities of people with disabilities.
“When someone steps in here, they might perceive themselves as someone with a disability, but once they start coming here, they take on the identity of an artist,” said Wayne Savage, Passion Works Studio coordinator.
They are participants of the Atco, Inc. program, a nonprofit organization that boasts a handful of day programs — including the Beacon School, PersonnelPlus and ProPoint Pen — each helping people with developmental disabilities become independent, social and financially secure.
“Everybody loves a paycheck,” Savage said. “Whether it’s $6 or $60, they’re thrilled to have it.”
Passion Works artists receive a portion of sales from fine art pieces, including their one-of-a-kind paintings, as well as an hourly salary for making Passion Flowers, ornaments and other items sold in the store.
But a paycheck isn’t the only thing that keeps the artists coming back. Besides their love of art, the hobby is habilitating in itself.
Sarina Winner, a 37-year-old Athens resident whose lupus and cerebral palsy affect her movement and speech and require her to use a wheelchair, has been coming to the studio since 1998.
“It’s great therapy for my arms, my mind and my soul,” she said. “When I feel bad, I come here and do this, and it loosens me up.”
Winner is one of about 65 Atco members. Mark Cullison, adult services director for Atco, estimated that 25 percent of eligible adults in Athens choose Atco over the five other day-service programs in the county, which include Goodwill, HAVAR, RHDD, Buckeye Community Services and Echoing Meadows Residential. In 2011, Atco worked with 181 individuals, according to the Athens County Board of Developmental Disabilities annual report.
For 50 years, the organization has ensured its members are anything but disabled.
“How we empower our folks is an initiative called self-advocacy,” Cullison said. “We are very heavily invested in getting people to determine the course of their own lives with the supports they have around them.”
Each weekday, members assemble at the Atco workshop off Stimson Avenue, where they paint, sew, build boxes for Diagnostic Hybrids, take care of Mack, the therapy dog, learn cooking skills or just hang out.
When they’re not at the workshop, they’re bowling at Rollerbowl Lanes, holding dances, attending Ohio University football games and performing concerts.
“Not too long ago, it was really easy for people who had a disability … just to stay at home, not to be included in local schools, to be housed and sheltered from their communities,” said Jesse Stock, community inclusion specialist for Atco. “To include them gives them an opportunity to socialize, to be recognized that they’re no different, to segway into independent living so that they can pursue their own goals.”
Atco’s members are encouraged to vote, have a job and even learn how to drive a car. Most people with disabilities have a Medicaid waiver that will cover the $40-per-6 1/2-hour day Atco services.
The members’ Medicaid waivers, along with tax dollars from local levies and subsidies from the state and federal government, are what keep the workshop afloat. However, the organization is still heavily dependent on donations and volunteers.
With only 25 paid employees in the entire operation, Atco relies on volunteers from OU’s social work, medical, special education and music therapy departments. The university’s Greek organizations have proved to be a big help to the workshop, too.
“We couldn’t expand or have the resources to do this without them,” Cullison said.
Passion Works hires six student interns each semester, while also allowing two studio volunteers at a time.
Savage said saving money is a top priority for Passion Works to fulfill its goal of being entirely self-sufficient, an essential value to the entire Atco production.
Wendy Jakmas, president of the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce, said Athens is an inclusive community when it comes to accepting people with disabilities, and Atco has put that front and center for all to see.
“It just shows that everyone is equal, that everyone is capable of art and holding a job,” Jakmas said. “I think it’s another piece of what makes Athens so unique and special.”
To volunteer with Atco or find out more ways you can help, call (740)592-6659, or go online to atcoinc.org. To volunteer with Passion Works or find out more ways you can help, call (740)592-3673 or check out passionworks.org.
oy311909@ohiou.edu
