The Juvenile Justice Center, 1801 Spielbusch Ave. in Downtown Toledo, opened a new gallery that’s being touted as the first of its kind in the country.
On the first and second floors, hung on the wall behind glass, are works of art created by juveniles while they were inmates at the center.
Many of the artists were not allowed to attend the opening ceremony Dec. 10 because they were still serving out their sentence except for Wayne Gaston, who was one of two inmates present. Gaston, 15, created a Native American-inspired sculpture of a snake, eagle, elk and wolf representing “life, freedom and the struggle” of his time at the Juvenile Justice Center.
“It’s just a little thing I put together,” Gaston said. “I feel proud.”
The 21-piece gallery is being upheld as an example of what troubled youth can accomplish with the right amount of support and encouragement.
“We finally have an avenue to see the great work these kids can do,” said assistant court administrator Kendra Kec, who has watched kids thrive in the art classes over many years. “This is a great outlet for (the youth).”
Lucas County Juvenile Judge Denise Navarre Cubbon said the center is charged with the responsibilty of helping children and their families make important changes in their lives, and the gallery is now a part of that. One of their goals is to create law abiding, successful citizens and art is one way to do that, Cubbon said.
“The art represents the process of learning,” Cubbon said. “It’s a positive activity to promote responsible behavior. Many children never had the opportunity to explore this talent.”
The gallery is a year and a half in the making and is the brainchild of teachers Joe Szafarowicz and Jan Revill, who instruct the art class. The classes are “integrated,” meaning they also teach another subject such as history, social studies and language arts.
Both Szafarowicz and Refill have been teaching for 10 years. They teach one female class and three male classes every day. They also teach at the Youth Treatment Center, 225 11th St., in the Discovery Art Program.
The art classes are based on state of Ohio standards and are classes you would find in a regular high school, Revill said.
Szafarowicz said he noticed after a period of time that the art classes had a great positive effect on the students and that would carry over into the atmosphere at the Juvenile Justice Center.
“It really engages them,” he said. “It makes them calmer and better.”
Students in the program were often hesitant about creating art. Many had never picked up a paintbruch or pencil before, Revill said.
The biggest benefit, she said, is the sense of accomplishment they feel.
“I’m really proud of them. Most of the students have never done anything like this before,” said Revill who has a degree in art therapy and psychology. She also teaches at Phoenix Academy, a charter school.
The gallery will turn over three to four times a year with new artwork.
