On Friday May 9, Paladin Inc hosted its first Spring craft bazaar at its Michigan City location. Paladin is a nonprofit organization that advocates for people with disabilities to ensure they have the support and opportunities they need to learn, grow and enjoy a meaningful life.
At the bazaar Paladin clients had the opportunity to sell a variety of art that they’ve created at the center to the community. This included everything from jewelry, canvases, ‘fairy houses’, collages, and more. Half of all proceeds go directly back to the artist, while the other half goes to the art program at the facility.
Julie Metzger, program manager for day programming, first brought the idea for a craft bazaar to the team’s head of marketing. She explained that there’s so much room to find creativity and innovation in everyday life.
Metzger mentioned that on Mondays, about ten individuals go to the Lubeznik Center for the Arts for classes and were invited to their art sale last August. She sees that her clients really love to dedicate their time to making something out of nothing. Metzger estimated at least sixty individuals contributed their work for the event, and she’s proud of all of them for putting their heart and soul into the event.
“It’s very satisfying watching the individuals creating and making products, and watching how they get a lot of joy from it, it just makes it all worth it. Even if it's the smallest little thing, they feel so good and they've really accomplished something. And then when they sell it, oh boy, they're on cloud nine,” Metzger said.
Local artists were also welcome to participate in the fair. Kara Donah, a local vendor invited to showcase her creations, sold jewelry and canvas paintings at the event. She has been selling her art for the past five years and said she often tries to hide clues in her paintings that tie to her real life.
“Jewelry gives you confidence, if it wasn’t for that I wouldn’t be here,” said Donah.
Brenda Flowers, day services director for La Porte, said that while this is the first Spring event, Paladin did host a craft bazaar last Winter with lots of Christmas crafts. She emphasized the importance of the community getting to see what the clients are putting together.
“It's very satisfying, because that's what we're all about: trying to integrate them into the community, trying to educate the community that we have individuals who are very talented, who have the same likes and dislikes as they have, who want to be included, and they can do different things,” Flowers said.
Kathleen Butler, Paladin’s art instructor has been with Paladin for the past ten years, and says she has the best job. She emphasized how important it is to see clients accomplish things in real time and learn to have faith in themselves. She said that seeing her clients succeed gives her the biggest thrill.
Butler went on to say that “This is my family. I found my niche. I'm a firm believer that God put everybody on this earth to help other people.”
For more information about Paladin’s services or to get involved please visit their website.
