The past month’s activities

were a blast! Peer Recovery

Art Project now has a new web

design, produced the highly

successful Modesto Blues Art

and Music Street Faire on J

and has extended our hours in

July for our new youth leader-

ship arts community program.

Home of the Arts for Freedom program

RRRRenaissance

enaissance

enaissance

enaissance

“Building a Healthier Community through Personal and Professional Example” Peer Recovery Art Project is our continuous campaign to end stigma, revitalize downtown areas, while

implementing new strategies for an all-inclusive and, therefore, healthier community

Volume 4 Issue 6 July 2012

peerrecoveryart@yahoo.com www.peerrecoveryartproject.org

EXECUTIVE OFFICER NOTES

We really had a great time at the Chamber Biz

Expo and want to thank the Modesto Chamber and

members for their hard work in putting that event

together. There are hundreds of people visiting our

gallery; big crowds attended the Street Faire. Staff

plus our many volunteers have done an out-

standing job making gallery guests feel at home.

Staff meetings are held twice a month and most of

the gallery’s programming comes out of those

meetings. As the administrator I feel blessed to see

our crew of board members, staff and volunteers

take such a leadership role in program develop-

ment. We have nothing less than a first class, ex-

traordinary group of dedicated individuals support-

ing each other within our gallery’s daily operations.

What we are is a downtown peer with peer, mutual

aide support network. Using art and music as our

centerpiece, we bring folks together so each per-

son might find a place in his/her community. Go to

our web site. Keep watching us on facebook . We

will be coming up with new ways to support each

other in our effort to revitalize downtown areas as

we develop new strategies for an all-inclusive and

therefore healthier community.

~ John Black, CEO

IN MEMORY OF JENNIFER EVA HASS

December 25, 1984—June 2, 2012 You can shed tears that she is gone, or you can smile because she has lived. You can close your eyes and pray that she’ll come back, or you can open your eyes and see all she has left. Your heart can be empty because you can’t see her, or you can be full of the love you shared. You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yester-day, or you can be happy tomorrow because of yester-day. You can remember her and only that she’s gone, or you can cherish her memory and let it live on. You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back, or you can do what she’d want; smile, open your eyes, love, and go on. ~Anonymous

Peer Recovery Art Project— the people in your life who want you in theirs; the ones who accept you for who you are. The ones who would do any thing to see you smile and are your friends no matter what.

Work of our newest artist, Idillad Crowe. Her first show-ing in the community was at the Modesto Blues. Now showing at the Barkin’ Dog Grill and in the gallery at

1222 J Street.

peerrecoveryart@yahoo.com www.peerrecoveryartproject.org

2

Peer Recovery Art Project Renaissance

My name is Jefrey Polousy, and I work at the Peer Re-covery Art Project Gallery through a work experience through Central Valley Opportunity Center. This is my first "job", and I’ve learned how to set-up for small to large events like Modesto Blues Art & Music Festival, community meeting, and Modesto Art Walk. I have learned to assemble easels, assist artist with the proper hanging material to display their art works, collect and enter data. I have learned how to interact with staff, gal-lery guests and volunteer workers. Working in a gallery setting has helped me with my communication skills. Part of my job is to greet guest and make them feel wel-come. I have more of an understanding of what my par-ents go through to pay bills, and take care of me and my siblings. I have learned responsibility, confident and now motivated to create art again. The gallery is a positive environment and has increased my social skills. It has been a great adventure and I have had a great time working and learning new things.

Hi! I am John Rainey, the newest gallery employee. I have volunteered for PRAP for a long time. I also work at Picasso’s Art and Deli where I prepare sandwiches

and salads. I look forward to meeting you!

Youth drawing teacher Sergio Soto who now also works on the new mural at the court house with The Hue Crew

and Center for Human Services.

THE HUE CREW SUMMER ART CAMP for young artists, 14 to 25 years of age

July 10 & 11 Glitter Art (youth), 11-1 July 10 Jam Session (1:30-3:30) July 10 & 11 Drawing (4-5:30) July 11 Comic Book (1:30-3:30) July 17 & 18 Paper Plate Art (11-1) July 17 & 18 Mosaic Art (1:30-3:30) July 17 & 18 Writing (4-5:30) July 24 & 25 Painting (11-1) July 24 & 25 Hat Knitting (1:30-3:30) July 24 & 25 Water Color (4-5:30) July 31 Collage (11-1) July 31 Bracelets (1:30-3:30) July 31 Charcoal (4-5:30)

Gallery staff members Nancy, Suzanne and Richard attended Modesto Chamber of Commerce Trade Show

peerrecoveryart@yahoo.com www.peerrecoveryartproject.org 3

July 2012

WELLS FARGO AWARD Peer Recovery Art Project was proud to take the lead on the Modesto Graffiti Mural Project Campaign. Thanks to Aaron Vickery 'Fasm' and his team for designing and producing such a iconic statement and to City Council-man John Gunderson for his efforts to see much more art of this kind in Modesto and, most of all, because we need to pay artists for their works. Yes, I said and we need to pay artists for their works! Thanks to Wells Fargo Bank’s Community Officer, Oscar Cabello for di-rection to the bank’s grant department and to all who support Peer Recovery Art Project's vision and methods of supporting community artists as well as those who love the arts. PRAP now challenges other banks and responsible business owners to give us walls and fund some more of these magnificent contributions to our city’s overall well-being.

Oscar Cabello and the Wells Fargo Bank crew in front of FASM’s mural painted on the exterior of the gallery at

1222 J Street for Modesto Graffiti Mural Project.

MODESTO BLUES ART AND MUSIC FAIRE The 2012 Modesto Blues was the best ever! The crowd was well pleased with the caliber of entertain-ment. Our musical guests loved the professionalism of our crew and all bands requested to come back again. Feedback from a brief survey of businesses in the 1200 block of J Street has been 100% positive. Looks like we will do it again in 2013! Thanks to our 2012 festival partners: Alhambra Water Modesto Toyota Davis Guest Homes Community Transitional Resources Board Skip’s Music Stanislaus Magazine Modesto View Magazine Modesto Bee 26 PRAP volunteers helped set up and run exhibits All PRAP staff helped - John, Betty, Monica, Randy, and Suzanne 35 artists showed their work on the street during the Blues Festival There were over 300 pieces of art work shown We appreciate the support of business owners in the 1200 block of J Street: Devas Crow Trading Papachinos Gyros Camera Center Concetta Mira’s Bridal Boutique Euphoria Salon

BUSINESS-TO-BUSINESS TRADE SHOW

The Modesto Chamber of Commerce Business-to-

Business Trade show was great! Peer Recovery Art Pro-

ject was very proud to build our business connections

and showcase our program and our anti-stigma cam-

paign. Exhibiting at the Trade Show is exclusive to

Chamber member/vendors and attendance is marketed

to a broad audience. PRAP staff and volunteers loved

the interaction with other guests and learned a lot about

the local business community by networking with local

business representatives. The topic of emotional health

and wellness was often discussed. Our booth’s back-

drop may have prompted the dialog since we displayed

the “Stan Up for Wellness, support Mental and Emo-

tional Health” banner at our location (see photo to left).

4513 McHenry Avenue 800-NEWTOYOTA Modestotoyota.com

peerrecoveryart@yahoo.com www.peerrecoveryartproject.org

4

Peer Recovery Art Project Renaissance

Send your TAX-DEDUCTIBLE DONATIONS to: Peer Recovery Art Project, Inc. PO Box 5354, Modesto, CA 95353 Drop us a line or send a request to be included

Arts for Freedom is sponsored by Stanislaus

County Board of Supervisors and Stanislaus

Behavioral Health and Recovery Services

PEER RECOVERY ART PROJECT, INC. EXECUTIVE BOARD AND TEAM MEMBERS

John Black, CEO, Arts for Freedom Administrator,

Operations Manager

Ken McCall, Chief Financial Officer Pacific Media Group

Carol Jo Hargreaves, Corporate Secretary, Editor

Jodi McClure, Bookkeeper

Team Members:

Michael Anderson, Art Director Betty Barnes, Arts for Freedom Program Coordinator,

Fundraising, Special Projects Linda Hornsby-Black, Special Projects, CEO’s Assistant

Omer Njajou, Statistical Support Keena Wells, Artist

You can donate on Facebook, too!

Proud to Sponsor

the

Peer Recovery

Art Project

Peer Recovery Art Project Teams Up With

Tuolumne River Trust During Paddle to the Sea By Analisa Freitas

Tuolumne River Trust (TRT) hosted two local riverside com-

munity parties this June in conjunction with their month-long

paddle-a-thon which raises awareness about the river and the

communities that live alongside it. The events were meant to

give families the opportunity to canoe for free, to get to know

the river that is “in their backyard,” and to enjoy their local

park in a safe, family setting. One of these parties took place

in West Modesto at Riverdale Park, June 15, 2012, where

paddlers and families were greeted with a taco lunch, music,

folkloric dancing, and, thanks to Peer Recovery Art Project

(PRAP), face painting for their kids - all free for their enjoy-

ment! PRAP has become a well-known organization in the

community and continuously looks to give back and support

endeavors that are beneficial to underserved groups. TRT was

excited to partner with PRAP in this way and looks forward to

future collaborations!

COFFEE HOUSE VOLUNTEER LOVES TO HELP

By Monica Rojas

"I enjoy volunteering at the Consumer Network Coffee

House. I really love doing a lot of things to help and I

am also going to be a volunteer at the Peer Recovery Art

Project Gallery. I also like being around positive peo-

ple. I love helping people and I stay away from the

negative so I am very positive about myself. I love all

the artwork people do there, and I love helping out in the

coffee house. I also love all my groups I go to. The

groups are really helping me out a lot. I am really

reaching out for my goal!"

Peer Recovery Art Project gallery, home of the ARTS FOR FREEDOM program is located at:

1222 J Street, Modesto CA Email, call or text: Peerrecoveryart@yahoo.com (209) 581-1695 Open Thursday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; 3rd Thursday Art Walk nights, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Find us at the intersection of 13th and J Streets between the State Theatre and Crow Trading; right next door to the Camera Center.