By Kendra Webb-Muhammad, LPC, NCC, CPCS, Program Director
Every year, Carroll County presents the MayFest Arts and Crafts Festival in Carrollton, Georgia’s downtown district, the largest festival in the local area. For this year’s event on May 1st, our WestCare Youth Academy was proud to not only attend but sell art as well!
The festival allows for local businesses and community members to come together to browse and purchase handmade arts and crafts, tasty treats, and specialty items made available by hundreds of vendors. Family-friendly entertainment was also provided at the amphitheater!
Our clients’ artistic efforts were introduced to local churches, commissioners, restaurateurs, colleges, mentorship programs, and more! Our youth were able to interact with local community members and partners by not only sharing their art but their testimonies about their WestCare experience. They also shared how they identified colors associated with moods and thoughts and how the act of pouring paint allowed them to creatively share their feelings and cope with the daily stressors and urges associated with substance abuse.
They were successful in not only showcasing, but selling all twenty-five pieces of art that they brought to various members of the community!
All proceeds will allow the youth to buy additional canvases and art supplies to support their creative ventures. Our participation in the event also resulted in an increase in referrals as well as calls from community members who were interested in donating items to support the program. We are so proud of the youth and their growth. We look forward to the opportunity to continue this artistic adventure by expressing their stories through art and sharing it with others throughout the community. Great job, gentlemen!
