Spark — Open Art Studio

Spark is an open art studio located in Morrow Warming Center in Utica, New York.

Cathy Marsh, Founder of Spark and the Director of the Morrow Warming Center, writes:

Several years ago I came across a website about a place called Art From The Streets in Austin, Texas. It intrigued me because I know how much my personal practice of making art has helped me deal with difficult situations in my life. Making or experiencing art practices can be incredibly healing and are therapeutic self practice. They started by offering art supplies and eventually offered an open studio.  It was not highly structured but a place where people could create no matter their skill. Many of their artists have been able to move forward in their lives because of  having an open studio where they can reconnect to themselves and others.

We find that people both unhoused and insecurely housed spend a lot of time being numbers in a system and the ones on the street become very dehumanized and unseen. A creative space helps someone to find themselves. It also helps others who do not have these experiences connect with them. We believe that every person deserves to be treated with dignity and seen as a person, no matter their circumstances or their behaviors.

This is why we started SPARK: Art Ignites Change.

Spark received initial funding from the Levitt Center through the Social Innovation Fellowship at Hamilton College and launched in June 2023.