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50 states of art

A Free Arts Camp in Oregon Fights Poverty and Nurtures Kids

Since the late 90s, Caldera Arts has provided arts training and materials to local kids of all economic and social backgrounds.

This article originally appeared on Creators.

Evidence of art's ability to kickstart cognitive development is ubiquitous. But access to expensive lessons and materials can be scant for kids not born into privilege. Since its founding in 1996, an arts camp in the mountains of Oregon has been leveling the playing field, providing training, resources, mentorship, and space for kids of all economic and social backgrounds to learn and make art.

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Caldera Arts is an institution focused on helping kids realize their dreams and potentially find their grown-up callings, given the right resources within a peaceful space. Bringing together artists, youth mentors, and environmental experts, Caldera Arts starts with middle-school kids and slowly progresses them through education in different mediums of their choosing until they graduate from the program or move on of their own accord. The more than 100 adult mentors provide their help and guidance completely free of charge—a bright light for many families and children who cannot afford costly training or art supplies.

Caldera follows the tenets of nurture and patience. By easing kids into programs at a young age, children and teenagers are allowed personal space to choose an artistic medium, discover skills that most interest them, and engage in the social aspects of collaborative art-making. Choices for mediums include painting, drumming, photography, circus arts, film, environmental projects, and screen printing, among others. In one year, Caldera Arts can see up to 400 students participate in the program.

Spoken word performance at Wieden+Kennedy by Caldera students as the opening act for poet, Patricia Smith. Pictured: 6th grade students from SEI Academy Photo by: Rob Archibald

March 2016 Artist in Residence Amory Abbott showcases artwork created during his residency at a public Open Studios event. Pictured: Amory Abbott Photo: Ricardo Nagaoka

For many involved with Caldera, the dual experience of growing up and establishing an identity with the program leaves a lasting motivation to stay involved. Aasha Benton, who has been with Caldera since she was just into middle school, is one of these dedicated cases. Today, the program still plays a huge part in Benton's life as she works as a full-time mentor at Portland Middle School. She shares with Creators, "I joined Caldera when I was 11 years old. [It] is a place where you can be your authentic self and everyone around supports you. You can be creative here, and grow into the person you are meant to be.

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Caldera's Portland Middle School Mentor and Alumna Aasha Benton teaching painting at a Caldera workshop. Pictured: Aasha Benton Photo: Olivia BrebrickMars performs poetry during a "Mini-Camp" Weekend Intensive. Pictured: Caldera student, Mars. Photo: Ricardo Nagaoka

Map of Caldera and the surrounding landscape by March 2016 Artist in Residence Amory Abbott. Pictured: Map by Amory Abbott. Photo: Ricardo Nagaoka

Sculpture by Annie Varnot created during her March 2016 residency at Caldera. Pictured: Sculpture. Photo: Ricardo NagaokaPainting by March 2016 Artist in Residence Annie Varnot. Pictured: Watercolor painting. Photo: Ricardo Nagaoka

Creative Director Elizabeth Quinn, students, artists, and the public creating art during an Open Studios event. Pictured: Elizabeth Quinn and Central Oregon high school youth. Photo: Ricardo Nagaoka

Camp Caldera Circus Arts class. Pictured: Teaching artists Sara Brickman and Becky Renfrow, and Caldera students: Birdie, Kidd, Smith Rock, Rainbow, 8-ball, Stretch, Nikita, Bedazzle, and Blue Pearl. Photo: Chris Larson

Learn more and stay up to date on Caldera Arts by visiting their website and following them on Facebook and Twitter.

All year, we're highlighting 50 States of Art projects around the United States. This month, we're covering Oregon, Washington, Colorado, Tennessee, and Delaware. To learn more, click here.

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