Approach

Click on each petal to grow your understanding of the studio and its core commitments.

Passion Works Studio is guided by the Creative Abundance Model, an asset-based approach that includes people of all abilities and upcycles local resources to foster creative economies and inclusive communities. At its heart, the model is responsive to the creative capacities of those living in a region and available local resources. 

Inviting Curiosity Through the Arts

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Building on Abundance

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Cultivating Collaborations

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Upcycling Local Resources

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Fostering Inclusive Communities

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Growing Creative Economies

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Inviting curiosity through the arts

Art first is the studio’s commitment. Passion Works structures environments so participants can surrender to the process of discovery and play. The studio invites participants to follow their curiosity through painting, poetry, drawing, sewing, and more. Participants explore, connect with others, and experience purpose and belonging through process of collaborative art making. 
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Cultivating collaborations

The studio’s collaborative ethic is one of its most distinctive commitments. Passion Works encourages people of all abilities to develop their individual talents and skills in collaboration with others. The studio’s commitment to collaboration includes partnerships with public, private, and non-profit organizations ranging from public libraries to local businesses, restaurants, primary and secondary education, and universities.
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Building on abundance

The studio disrupts deficit-based models that focus on the shortcomings of individuals and systems. The success of the studio rests with its asset-based approach that focuses on possibilities. By following the lead of individuals and responding to their aspirations, the studio matches people’s interests and abilities with opportunities. Through a lens of abundance, people and materials are transformed within and beyond the walls of the studio. 
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Upcycling local resources

Passion Works Studio is committed to locally sourcing and upcycling materials otherwise discarded. Artists re-imagine post-consumer waste and industry by-products in support of vibrant communities, workforce development, and a creative economy. The studio illustrates how beauty can be experienced in objects, people, and places when our imagination is ignited by a sense of possibility. 
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Fostering inclusive communities

The studio is committed to fully accessible community life where differences and commonalities are embraced with respect and curiosity. Passion Works creates space for artists with diverse backgrounds and abilities to collaborate, fostering a sense of purpose and belonging for all. Community members are invited to make art at the studio and at pop-up events in libraries, community centers, parks, and other community gathering places. The studio offers artistic evidence of a society strengthened by inclusion.
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Growing creative economies

Creative experiences at the studio function as a springboard for other goals including employment. The studio advances its mission through a social enterprise model. Collaborative making leads to fine art sales, product lines, design services, and custom projects. Product research and development begins with the interests and talents of the workers. The studio blends workers’ visions with available material streams to create new products. When consumers invest in the studio’s art, they learn the stories of the art and its makers.