GREEN BAY (NBC26) — Located in Green Bay’s Arts District is a 100-year-old-cannery-turned-art space. The Art Garage is not only a free gallery; it has classes for artists of all ages, studio space and art-to-go.
“Art does change our lives," said Jill Huguet, President of the Board of Directors. "This organization just doesn’t support local artists, but it also inspires art in artists, in all of us.”
This is the the first year The Art Garage has been selected for Give Big Green Bay. The Art Garage's goal is to not only raise money, but awareness of who they are, and why it’s so important to support the arts.
“Of course, the funds will be great," said Huguet. "But more people will understand who we are and what we do and what our mission is.”
That mission is to give art to as many community members as possible.
“The impact is so far reaching," said Jayne Black, Vice President of the Board of Directors. "It’s even hard for me to put into words.”
The Art Garage’s Mobile Artist program gives 80 art projects every month to under-served children in the area, as well as a virtual class taught by Black.
“Those creative skills, you can take that into every area of your life," she said. "Not only that, art helps with mental health. It helps to build self-esteem, and I have seen it in children over and over again. They don’t think they’re good at something, and then they get to start seeing, ‘Wow, look what I created.’”
You can choose your own amount to give, or select a specific amount:
- $25 - provide new art supplies and tools
- $150 - put one child through the summer art workshop
- $350 - sponsor a front gallery exhibition
- $500 - sponsor a month of the mobile artist program
- $1,000 - help the art garage maintain and renovate the space
“The arts are such a crucial part of all of our lives," said Black. "It’s not just an art project. It’s the opportunity to dig deep and be creative.”
If you’d like to check out the free gallery, currently The Art Garage is open Thursday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Friday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
