Year-in-Review 2007
At the beginning of 2007 our longtime Program Director resigned to pursue other interests. It was decided by the Board of Director’s to create a new staff structure. The staff structure would include an Executive Director to oversee staff, maintain contacts with current and future funders, and look for opportunities topromote our Mission in the community. The Business Manager would oversee the financial aspects of program. The Program Director would manage our workshop schedule, membership documentation and our volunteer program.
Karen Milstein was appointed Interim Executive Director in April and was hired as Executive Director at the August board meeting. William Kuban was appointed Business Manager, also in April and hired by the Exec at the August board meeting. Laure Quinart-Raymakers was hired as Program Director at the end of September.
It was hectic as we all worked into our new positions and c0-ordinated our schedules to better work together.
We had about 20 artits show their work in a September 2007 show at the Central Branch of the Madison Public Library; the theme was “CRAZY”. We were also accepted to show our work at the Overture Center for the Arts during the summer of 2008 with the same theme.
Exhibit Description
The theme we chose is “CRAZY”. This theme was selected
because it allows for unique and artistic expression. We are
taking the word crazy (previously and maybe still used to
intimidate people with mental health issues) and
transforming it into art and poetry.
It is a word we are going to play with because we can!
Using the word crazy is a bit of a dare; however, it allows
us to come from a position of strength that is shown in our
ability to be creative with our thoughts and feelings. Art
allowsus to channel our talents and strengths, permitting a
perceived weakness to become a communication to the
public at large.
We are capable people. We have a wisdom of our own and
we are inviting the community, as a whole to understand us.
“Reflections on Resilience: Honoring CommunityMental Health through Art”
Vickie Eiden’s project Reflections on Resilience was an artistic outreach project that explored the common misperceptions and stigmas associated with mental health. Mental health cosumers from four different community agencies-Cornucopia, Inc., Bayview ArtsBridges Program, Madison Senior Center, and the Oasis program at Canopy Family Services(formerly the Parental Stress Center)-took part in the project with participants ranging in age from 5 to 89 years old. Five expressive arts workshops were repeated with the four groups, focusing on the themes of:
1. Challenges(using mixed media collages)
2. Stigma(via poetry writing)
3. Coping(by painting with acrylics on canvas)
4. Joy(through building with terra cotta clay)
5. Hope(on painted fabric and felt)
The project was successful in its goal to recognize and emphasize the use of visual arts for renewal and empowerment with a wide array of consumers(from different racial and economic backgrounds) facing common and uncommon circumstances with their mental health challenges. The project also helped expand the style and reach of the regular programming offered at Cornucopia, Inc. (its fiscal agent and primary partner organization), in addition to promoting our non-profit agency. The Reflections on Resilience exhibit will be touring different Madison locations throughout the spring and summer of 2008.
This project was funded in part by a grant from the Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the National Endowment for the Arts.
In 2007, over 60 consumer, university, and community members contributed over 1200 volunteer hours to the running and upkeep of Cornucopia. While most volunteer hours were spent teaching classes on art and wellness, other equally important hours were spent assisting with our newsletter production and mailing, serving on our board of directors, providing computer tutoring, and maintenance, fundraising, transportation and keeping our office neat and clean.
In 2007 art classes ranged from fine arts(ie. clay, watercolor, oil painting, drawing) to crafts(ie. leather projects, knitting, paper-making). There was also one-on-one computer tutoring, creative writing, life skills class taught bu UW-Madison occupational therapy students and a weekly wellness workshop led by a consumer member who is also an RN. Karaoke was offered once a month and special events included our 10th anniversary celebration, our annual summer picnic and grill at Tenney Park, and a holiday potluck in December that included a Scrabble tournament with prizes.
In 2008, we have several goals we’re working on for programming. One is to offer more classes in the evening and on the weekend when downtown/campus parking is more available and consumers of mental health services report higher levels of loneliness and isolation. We’ll also be trying to increase our diversity by finding a volunteer our print mareials into Spanish and Hmong. A beginning Spanish conversation class begins in April. We’re also looking into adding more music and wellness workshops, including nutritional cooking classes, execise, support groups, as well as arranging off-site social activities like monthly movie night at Budget Cinema and art museum visits in and outside of Madison.
We have a new website! You’re already here! The website was designed by our business manager with a lot of help from two computer tech/programmer and content volunteers. Thanks Jon, Boone and all. Switching our website is saving us about $350 per year and allows for more efficient changes, updating and customization.
Take a look around!