Patty Mitchell is an artist and social entrepreneur specializing in collaborations between artists with and without developmental differences. Her dream is to turn sheltered workshops/day programs into creative art making spaces. Working through the art process, participant’s talents and passions become visible and the core of program design. Creativity and enthusiasm are the tools for developing a new culture and lifting expectations for what is possible. Collaboratively creating art and inviting community participation offers a vehicle for staff and agencies to move away from institutionalized thinking and develop individualized programming. Sewing, painting, photography, sculpture, giant puppetry, repurposed materials, and innovative approaches manifest as on site-specific public artworks. These spectacular installations leave no doubt as to the individual genius of the artists, encourage conversation, connection, and cultural development for the larger community. Product lines designed through the artwork create employment options and funding streams for continued arts programming. 

Mitchell founded Passion Works Studio in Athens (1998), Ohio and designed the studio’s signature product “The Passion Flower”. The flower is made of recycled printing plates painted and decorated in bright, bold colors by Passion Works Core Artists. To date the studio has sold over 30,000 Passion Flowers, they are “The Official Flower of Athens, Ohio”. A product line including; jewelry, clothing, tiles, ornaments, stamps, cards, prints... commissions and sale of fine art have generated over $2,750,000 in sales.

As an artist in residence, Patty Mitchell has helped organizations nationally and internationally start up arts programming ventures. Some examples: Flor de Arte, Soaring Arts Studio, Pieces of Heart Studio, Up and Away Studio, Hope Studios, Kudos Studio, Kan Du Studio,  Colores del Alma, Just Imagine Studio,  AccessPoint Studios and others.

Ms. Mitchell is Executive Director of Passion Works Studio and CEO of Creative Abundance Consulting. She has received a Distinguished Alumna Award from Ohio University’s College of Fine Art, an Ohioana Citation for Art and Education, an Individual Artist Award from the Ohio Arts Council, a Citizen of the Year Award from Civitan, and the Keystone Award from Ohio University for outstanding community service. Patty Mitchell received her BFA and MFA from Ohio University.