One of our many life enrichment programs, Art Therapy is an essential part of who we are and the programs we offer.  Through a strong partnership with the University of Louisiana Arts in Education Coordinator, Dr. Lynn Sanders-Bustle, art has found a home at the Outreach Center.

The Art Therapy program includes monthly themed art workshops, covering topics such as collage, mosaic murals, recycled books, and artists such as Picasso, Rothko, Pollock, and Rauschenberg. The program has literally changed the face of the Outreach Center, or more literally, the facade. Through the partnership with UL and two series of workshops, our campus is now graced with two beautiful mosaic murals. The murals were created by Outreach Center clients and volunteers.

We also have created a small art gallery in the foyer of our community Celebration Center. This space showcases the work created by our clients under the direction of UL Visual Arts students and faculty in art therapy workshops.

Small Painted Canvases	Detail of Mixed Media Inspired by Robert Rauschenberg	Mixed Media Collage	Painting Series Inspired by Mark Rothko

Tossed & Found™ is a social enterprise program designed to empower individuals to rebuild their lives to self-sufficiency, by teaching marketable vocational skills, such as carpentry and construction, through the production of artistic functional furniture made from reclaimed hurricane debris and salvaged building materials.

While clients are actively learning employable skills, their self-confidence, self-respect and sense of dignity increase, making them feel proud and important for the work they are doing.

The Process:

1. Salvaged materials are collected & transported to the Acadiana Outreach Center workshop.

2. University architecture students design & create multi-line prototypes of artistic functional furniture from the recycled materials.

3. Three Graces clients replicate artistic & functional items developing employable skills.
4. The value-added products are marketed & sold, providing ongoing program funding.

The Benefits:

• Participants are employed while gaining transferable job skills and self-sufficiency.

• University students gain valuable hands-on experience while serving the community and honing professional skills.

• Hurricane debris is returned to the commerce stream leaving positive environmental impact.

• Retail customers purchase high quality products & promote a noble enterprise.
• Community benefits from positive economic & social impact.