About Us | Red River Artists with Disabilities

Red River Artists with Disabilities (RRAD) Project is funded by the Office of Mental Health and Red River Employment Services. Red River Employment Services is a division of Volunteers of America of North Louisiana – one of our region’s largest providers of human services – founded in Shreveport in 1935. The RRAD project provides artists who have a disability a venue for marketing and selling their artwork. Art that qualifies for the program is original art in any media to include, but not limited to: paintings, signed prints, pottery, jewelry, furniture, and photography.

Our Resume of Activities include:

October 2001	Co-hosted art booth with Housing Authority and Homeless Coalition at the Red River Arts Festival. This initiative generated over $1,200 in direct income for the 8 artists represented.
October 2002	Art booth at Mental Health Association Annual Fundraiser. Exhibited and sold art work. Ten pieces of art sold, earning $150 for the artists.
June 2002	Held workshop for artists to study watercolor techniques. Training provided by artist Rosie Wood. Five artists from the program attended.
October 2003	Art Booth at the Mental Health Association Annual Fundraiser. Exhibited and sold 7 pieces of art.
August 2003	Calendar contest and exhibition held at Columbia Café. 60 pieces exhibited and art chosen by secret ballot to be used in 2004 calendar. Thirteen artists earned $100 each in prize money for their art.
December 2003	1,000 calendars printed for sale and distribution featuring art of persons with disabilities. This effort generated over $6,000 in income with individual artists selling over 400 calendars and earning in excess of $3,000 for participating artists.
January 2003	Coordinated a Season of Art for clients of a mental health day treatment program. Sessions taught by participating artists.
February 2004	Applied to Red River Arts Festival to have booth to sell artwork. Partner, The Homeless Coalition, withdrew from the festival and application was set aside.
March 2004	Relocated art booth to Campus Collectibles and Art Gallery.
August 2004	Calendar contest for 2005.
December 2004	Calendar printing and distribution.
March 6, 2005	1st Annual Ann Rowell Art show in conjunction with Celebration of Women’s Week. Application was approved.
May 30 – June 20, 2005	Louisiana State Exhibit Museum, Forrest Dunn contacted and secured show. Received SRAC in conjunction with this show.