The Art Room wouldn’t be what it is today without our magnificent volunteers and board members. Today we’re featuring Cynthia Evetts, our Fundraising and Social Media Director! Learn more about Cynthia and what The Art Room means to her!
What do you do at The Art Room? I am a volunteer and a Board Member. As a mental health volunteer, I try to establish and maintain a therapeutic milieu. I want everyone to feel welcome, safe, and valued as a participant. As a board member, I contribute to planning, organizing, and sustaining operations.
What drew you to volunteering at The Art Room? I am an occupational therapist with a specialty in promoting mental health through meaningful activity. I am also an avid craftsman and an artist-wan’a-be. I am happiest when I have a community service role—it helps me feel connected to the larger community, and I hope that by participating I can help others also feel connected.
How long have you been volunteering at The Art Room? Since March of 2019
What is your favorite project you’ve done at The Art Room? I really like the collaborative community projects that we have done; the “Take Back the Night” weaving, the Denton Community Collage, and the up-coming 1000 cranes for peace. Again—it’s the sense of connectedness that I like.
What is your favorite art medium? I have evolved my love of Sharpies to include watercolor markers, and now I am enjoying watercolor paints for the first time. My favorite place to paint is on the pages of an old book. I discovered that I can be more daring in a discarded book than on a blank page—a white sheet of paper can be very intimidating, but the dusty page of an outdated book feels like an open invitation.
What is your spirit animal? I had to take an online quiz because I wasn’t sure. In the past I might have said coyote—clever and playful, or eagle—soaring above to be watchful and get the big picture. But apparently at this time my spirit animal is a deer—watchful with a desire to gently navigate around potential problems. Sounds like a COVID kind of existence, doesn’t it?
What are five songs you identify with? I love music—especially jazz and big band. I’m not sure I can pick 5 songs… I’d have to think long and hard about this one.
What are some goals you want to achieve at The Art Room? Get us a hand-washing station! [Check! –thanks to Marlys and Maryam and the 100 Dentonites Who Give a Dam!] But also—to provide opportunities for graduate students to lead therapeutic art sessions and expand community-based mental health promotion.
What does The Art Room mean to you? The Art Room-Denton means that there is a safe space for creative self-expression for adults who are experiencing mental or emotional challenges. It’s like a support group where the art is the primary focus, instead of the pain.