ARTreach, Inc is an ARTreach affiliate in Knoxville, Tennessee currently piloting a project that teams with a local studio called “Canvas Can Do Miracles”.  The studio is owned by artist Jackie Holloway.  This artist and her studio “Canvas Can Do Miracles” are on a mission to reduce the number of individuals who live a non-productive life because of drug and alcohol addition. The studio provides time, space and instruction for basic arts & crafts to individuals in need. Jackie as an artist wants to encourage individuals with drug addictions to utilize their gifts to become self-reliant and to visualize and take steps towards their goals as an artist.

In Houston, ARTreach is also developing new programs supporting drug rehabilitation and recovery through a partnership with the Palmer Drug Abuse Program. ARTreach recently conducted a workshop that produced a three-part canvas mural that represents the student's past, present and future. Additional workshops will be offered on site at the West Houston Community Center for PDAP.

In Katy, the ARTreach Studio will model the concepts of the “Canvas Can Do Miracles” Art Studio in Knoxville, to offer individuals entangled in a life of substance abuse a motivating atmosphere to create art work free of charge. The studios will specialize in assisting individuals in re-directing their focus and encouraging them to change their desires from un-healthy habits to sharpening the talents they already have. Classes in Katy offering art training, art history and motivation are scheduled to begin November  1, 2008. 

ARTreach is seeking proposals from talented artists who might be interested in directing projects in the Katy area. Contact Terri Bieber at 713-444-1897 or by email art.reach@earthlink.net

About the Artist Jackie Holloway
  As an artist and business owner of “Art by Jackie”, Jackie Holloway is a recovered drug addict for 12 years, and says “Art saved my life; it drew me out of thinking about the wrong thing, to living the right way”.

I believe the canvas can do miracles, and so, this is where the dream begins!
  
My dream of “The Canvas Can Do Miracles Studio” is a studio providing individuals recovering from drug and alcohol, motivation to create beautiful works of art. All material would be supplied free of charge, motivating them to use the God given talent they have to create. Re-directing their lives by replacing despair and grief with a new desire to utilize that which God has given us all, the ability to create!

As I reached my teenage years, I knew drawing was a vital part of my life. I continued to sharpen the artistic skills even into high school. However, my curious mind as a teen soon lead me to experiment with marijuana. I did not realize it was an open door leading to a cocaine addiction, which nearly ended my life. Lack of money to supply my habit led to criminal activity and consequently incarceration. This seems to be the wake-up call I am thankful for because it caused me to examine my life. I decided to relocate to a small community and leave the temptations of the city behind. During this time my ability to draw was the gift from God that brought me back from a painful life of drugs. If not for my love for Christ and His mercy, I would still be bound by this addiction.

While walking to find wild flowers and enjoying the fresh air, I noticed a branch resting peacefully in a sea of dead leaves. Its shape was similar to a human torso missing its head and feet. There appeared to be a gunshot wound in its back, and one of the arms was reaching up toward the sky. As I picked up the hurtful looking branch, the Spirit of the Lord Jesus spoke to me and said, “No Matter How Many Scars Remain From Wounds Of Your Past, Use What Is Left Of Your Life To Praise Me.” I then named the piece Job, and it has become a premier art piece. 

 
“God continues to opened doors to educate me despite of the obstacles in my past”, says Jackie, “I know he has led me in all these different areas to enable me to help others along the way.”

ARTreach looks forward to partnering with “Canvas Can Do Miracles” in Knoxville to develop new programs that support addiction recovery. To learn more, or to become involved visit www.ARTreachonline.org

You can learn more about Jackie Holloway and the Canvas Can Do Miracles Studio by visiting www.artbyjackie.com