On Monday, September 9th, the Hopkins County Art League (HCAL) presented a $300 check to Light of Chance, Inc., a local creativity-based non-profit organization that specializes in community revitalization.
The money donated was raised during an HCAL-sponsored Chamber After Hours Art Auction on August 15th at The Center, their new home at the old train depot building located at 38 West Arch Street in Madisonville, KY.
Light of Chance sponsors a wide variety of community programs and events, including the Breathe arts program.
“The Breathe arts program develops creativity while providing a positive learning environment for area youth to express themselves, engage in important issues, and experience personal and social transformation through the arts,” says Light of Chance founder Eric C. Logan. “The program educates and fosters artistic expression, leadership, and social skills through music, dance, creative writing, and visual arts. Breathe is a constructive creative outlet that encourages teamwork. It also teaches communication and problem-solving skills, both of which are essential in becoming responsible citizens.”
Light of Chance’s work within the community has not gone unnoticed. After learning more about the program, HCAL members were quick to offer up their monetary support.
“Our mission is to promote the arts,” says HCAL President Suzanne Henley. “We’ve really been focusing on the youth in our area and that’s also what Light of Chance is doing. Kids just have a passion and we want to encourage that passion.”
Logan stopped by The Center Monday evening to express his gratitude and to share more information about Light of Chance with HCAL members.
“Thank you all so much,” said Logan during the meeting. “It was a pleasant surprise and we really appreciate the support.”
The organization has been taking on new projects regularly and is working hard to expand their curriculum for area youth.
“We’re adding photography and screen-printing to this semester’s Breathe program,” shared Logan. “We’re really excited. We started the program back in 2012 and we average close to 40 kids per session. They can sign up for whatever classes they want. At the end of the semester, we present a showcase. We invite the community out and the kids perform what they have learned. So far, it’s been really great. We’ve seen kids really blossom and open up to art. As you all know, art can help them inside and outside the classroom. So far, the program is doing exactly what it’s designed to do and we are really proud of that.”
When asked by HCAL members about how much community support the organization has been receiving, Logan’s response was positive.
“For many years, I was the ‘one-man-band,’” laughed Logan. “This year, in particular, I’ve been able to get a little bit of help, which has allowed me to do a lot more fundraising. So far, the community has been really good to us. We receive individual contributions and a little bit of corporate funding. A couple of weeks ago, we received a small grant from the Old National Bank Foundation. So, we’re gaining a little bit of traction.”
Recently, Light of Chance has undertaken the task of renovating the Rosenwald-Smith Multi-Cultural Center, which is located at 208 N. Kentucky Ave. in Madisonville.
“We have been renovating from top to bottom,” shared Logan. “We’ve been renovating the floors, painting walls, and we’ve built tables. The Rosenwald-Smith Multi-Cultural Center Committee is just starting to renovate the gym too. Hopefully, in a couple of months, it’ll be night and day in there.”
Each class being taught at the Rosenwald-Smith Multi-Cultural Center has a curriculum. Logan informed HCAL that volunteers and artists are regularly scheduled to come in and teach lessons.
“What I’m really trying to do with this fall session is really reach out to different artists, because everybody goes about creating art differently,” explained Logan. “I think it’s really helpful to be able to teach the kids different ways to go about creating art.”
Sugg Street Post
Written by Jessica Dockrey