All of us have favorite places that make us feel happy and complete. This is one of mine.
And it’s all because of this philosophy….
The artists who create in this studio never expected to be working artists. At one time they were simply people who received services from an organization called the Black Hills Works, which encompasses an amazing network of services for adults with challenges in the Rapid City, South Dakota area. The original art center was established in December 2001 in memory of Suzie Cappa, who received services from Black Hills Works. It was an office, a storage closet and one room. The newest center has just opened in an entirely renovated storefront in downtown Rapid, to fulfill a vision of providing a publicly accessible forum for artists of all abilities to come together to create and promote the arts.
Meet Colleen. She recently moved to Rapid City and has been a wonderful addition to the Art Center. She is very independent and loves stripes and bright colors. One of her favorite subjects is whimsical trees. From personal experience I found that although she initially hated the flash on my camera, she eventually came to trust me and ended up being one of my favorite artists to photograph, especially once I turned off that annoying flash!
This is her corner of the studio.
And here is Colleen proudly showing two of her finished pieces.
Better yet, Colleen herself is a work of art….from the inside out and the outside in!
These are the two people who make it all happen, Brad and Carla. I can’t say enough wonderful things about them. The are heroes in the true sense of the word. And they get it, they just absolutely get it.
And because pictures tell a thousand words, I’m going to stop writing and leave you with images taken at the Center over the course of one week in April. Have I said yet just how much I love this place?!?
To learn more please “like” Suzie Cappa on Facebook or visit this link.
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Hi Carla, I’m her Mother-in-law living in Iowa. We are so proud of her and her ability. She is a blessing in so many ways. She shares her joy of working and it’s great to see the publicity,
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Hi Carla, I am Carla’s little sister, My sister is someone I look up to, she has always treated me with so much kindness and love and I think that shows through in all of her abilities at her job. I love what you do and think it would be such a rewarding place to be. Would love to have a facility like this in our area and would love being a part of such a great program. It just makes you feel good to see what the Suzie Cappa Art Center offers.
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