ARTICLE
How often in our day-to-day lives are we encouraged to be creative? Junior Art and Music, or JAM, in Norwalk is a unique resource, a Creative Haven that invites the community, particularly youth and their families, to experience creative expression through art and music. As its outreach mission, JAM partners with local organizations to provide art and music enrichment programs to underserved communities in the greater Norwalk area – specifically inner city youth and kids and adults with special needs. JAM was founded in 2010 originally as a for-profit company by Dre Towey. Towey is an artist and award-winning Kindie Rock (rock for children) musician as well as an art educator. She started JAM to meld her three loves: art, music and children. In 2017, JAM became a nonprofit to better serve those who may not have the opportunity or a safe place to express themselves through art or music. In only their second year as a nonprofit, JAM hosted 124 open studios, musical performances and special events to more than 3,300 people. The JAM studio is located at 203 Liberty Square in Norwalk (across the street from Veterant’s Park). The studio is a space that inspires imagination through an abundance of colors and texture with exposed brick, splatter paint walls, jars filled with various art supplies, and a fully stocked doodle bar . JAM regularly hosts a variety of art and music enrichment programs for all ages and abilities, from hands-on multiple art station open studios, to family concerts and low-sensory experiences for those with special needs. “Our signature offering is a multi-station, process-oriented art experience,” explains JAM’s Lead JAMbassador Bridget Mariner “Our groups come in to the studio to find 4-6 stations with different arts and craft activities – beading, large scale painting, collage etc. We’re even known to throw paint soaked spaghetti on the wall! And always, the music is playing to round out the experience.” JAM has worked with organizations such as the Family & Children Agency, Norwalk Housing Authority, Norwalk High School Special Needs Transition Program, Side by Side Charter School, Boys and Girls Club of Stamford, and The Open Door Shelters. JAM also hosts programs for the general public as well as private groups such as birthday parties and other private events. As a nonprofit, JAM is funded by grants and private donations as well as a nominal program fee. The goal is to offer programs to organizations that work with the underserved at no cost. “JAM is truly a safe, judgement-free place to simply be creative,” says Mariner. “Whether painting, singing, splatting, spinning, strumming or drumming, children and adults (re)discover that there is no limit to their creativity when their creativity is not limited.” To learn more about JAM, visit their website, Instagram or Facebook. They urge you to experience one of their public programs (see upcoming ones here). If your organization would like to partner with JAM, contact Towey dre@jamstudioct.org.
The JAM studio is located at 203 Liberty Square in Norwalk (across the street from Veterant’s Park). The studio is a space that inspires imagination through an abundance of colors and texture with exposed brick, splatter paint walls, jars filled with various art supplies, and a fully stocked doodle bar . JAM regularly hosts a variety of art and music enrichment programs for all ages and abilities, from hands-on multiple art station open studios, to family concerts and low-sensory experiences for those with special needs. “Our signature offering is a multi-station, process-oriented art experience,” explains JAM’s Lead JAMbassador Bridget Mariner “Our groups come in to the studio to find 4-6 stations with different arts and craft activities – beading, large scale painting, collage etc. We’re even known to throw paint soaked spaghetti on the wall! And always, the music is playing to round out the experience.” JAM has worked with organizations such as the Family & Children Agency, Norwalk Housing Authority, Norwalk High School Special Needs Transition Program, Side by Side Charter School, Boys and Girls Club of Stamford, and The Open Door Shelters. JAM also hosts programs for the general public as well as private groups such as birthday parties and other private events. As a nonprofit, JAM is funded by grants and private donations as well as a nominal program fee. The goal is to offer programs to organizations that work with the underserved at no cost. “JAM is truly a safe, judgement-free place to simply be creative,” says Mariner. “Whether painting, singing, splatting, spinning, strumming or drumming, children and adults (re)discover that there is no limit to their creativity when their creativity is not limited.” To learn more about JAM, visit their website, Instagram or Facebook. They urge you to experience one of their public programs (see upcoming ones here). If your organization would like to partner with JAM, contact Towey dre@jamstudioct.org.