Creating Hand-In-Hand
Our goal for outreach is to make art accessible to our local community, including those who have been identified as underserved. The Art Association’s outreach and education program, Creating Hand-in-Hand, has been providing opportunities for art enthusiasts ages one to 101 for more than 20 years. We recognize the benefits of incorporating art into everyday life.
Art encourages self-exploration, creative problem solving, and has many therapeutic benefits. Through collaborations with other organizations in the community, we are able to bring art to populations that may not have access otherwise. We want to share our love of art with anyone and everyone who is interested.
Current Partners
21st Century Heroes
Alta School
Bright Beginnings Preschool
C-V Ranch
Central Wyoming College – ESL classes
City Kids Wilderness Project
CLIMB Wyoming
Community Entry Services
Community Safety Network
Dancers’ Workshop
Discovery Preschool
Fireflies, Lightning Bugs and Crickets Preschool Programs
GAP Girls
Girl Scouts of America
Jackson Hole Community School
Jackson Hole High School
Jackson Hole Historical Society and Museum
Jackson Hole Middle School
Jackson Hole Therapeutic Riding Association
Kelly School
Legacy Lodge
Living Center at St. John’s Hospital
Makers Fair at Teton Science School
Mountain House
Munger Elementary
One22
Pinedale Schools
Red Top Meadows
Senior Center of Jackson Hole
Teton Adaptive Sports
Teton Behavioral Therapy
Teton County Library Afterschool Programming
Teton Literacy Center – Adult and Children’s Programs
The Studio Project with The National Museum of Wildlife Art
Van Vleck House
Veteran’s Art
For more information on art outreach programs, please contact Director of Education and Studios, Jess Koncak, 307-733-6379 ext 1.
Outreach Sponsors
Creating Hand-in-Hand Outreach Program is generally supported by Community Foundation of Jackson Hole, the Wyoming Cultural Trust Fund, Wyoming Arts Council, Lisa Carlin, Betty Cobb, Suzy Kellems Dominick, Margaret Harris, Dawn & John Hummel, Bill Newton, and Christy Walton.
"I am struck by what an awesome support the Art Association Outreach Program is for C-V. Through grand funding, I am able to organize a small arts program at the school, and through the support of the Art Association, this programming is broadened to offer a very special connection to the Jackson Arts community. As residentially placed special-needs children, there are limited opportunities for these kids to interact outside of C-V. Arts access with our weekly trip to the Art Association makes for an enriching opportunity to learn and create in the great studio and with local expertise at the Center for the Arts location."
Student Testimonials: How does art make a difference in your life?
“It brings out my creativity, I am more relaxed.”
“It’s part of my coping skills, it helps me be calm. It makes me live better.”
“It makes me feel good, I like to draw and be able to show my ideas that way.”
“It makes me feel like I can make anything I want, free. It makes me feel very proud and it makes me feel like I can accomplish a lot.”
“It makes me feel creative and it makes me feel like I can do all things."
Tonia Ralston | Art Instructor/Program Coordinator | C-V Ranch
"The Art classes provide a creative outlet for our residents, and an avenue for self-expression. While we strive to provide a homelike environment here at the Living Center, and to offer many recreational activities, the Art classes have been a nice complement to the other activities we offer our residents."
Constance Hansen, CTRS, M. Ed. | Director of Theraputic Recreation | Senior Living Center
"The outreach coordinators and the artists alike are incredibly willing and able to collaborate, uniting their visions for projects with the learning styles of our unique population. These artists engage our students who become eager to create and see their final products. The projects have been varied and range from videos documenting the building of snow sculptures to journal making to the creation of ceramic totem poles. By combining clear expectations with a keen flexibility in their instruction, the artists continuously open up the art world to our students."
Erin Smith | Education Director | Red Top Meadows | Wilson WY
"We see enthusiasm about coming to art class that does not happen in other classes. They are very proud that their art is decorating the CES facility and rooms; this gives them a lot of confidence. The experience of doing it is what is important, not the outcome.
Student Testimonials:
“It is very relaxing to do art.” | Del
“(My weekly art class makes me feel) comfy and relaxed.” | Davie
“(My weekly art class makes me feel) very calm.” | Tracy
“(My weekly art class makes me feel) proud and happy.” | Kassi
“(My weekly art class) helps me to focus.” | Wayne"
Teresa | Community Entry Services
"Serenity to my mind. Sustenance to my soul. Bases to the earth and to the starts.” | Dennis
“This is the best part of Tuesdays; a time when I feel no pressure and am able to just have fun.” | Barb
“One of the few times in my life that I am able to accomplish something and I have something to for show for it. The sense of reward makes me feel normal again.” | Lola"
Students | Mountain House
