By Guest Blogger Dawn Ashby Caldwell

A few weeks ago, I attended the Greensboro Holiday Market and came across a vendor booth with the most adorable and unique art. The pottery was amazing, the jewelry was so unique, and the colors were so bright and colorful. I immediately smiled as I inspected all of the items. What I didn’t know until after picking up an info card, was that all of the art was created by someone with a disability. This immediately made me love the items even more, and I was intrigued to find out details. I spoke to Dawn Caldwell, who has shared the story with us below. Thank you, Dawn, for taking the time to tell us more about LIFESPAN’s Mosaic Studio, and thank you for the amazing things you are doing for our community! ~Rachel Hoeing, TMoM Co-Founder

LIFESPAN is a non-profit organization that provides services to infants six weeks of age to senior adults with disabilities. LIFESPAN empowers children and adults with disabilities by providing education, employment and enrichment opportunities for them to live, work and play in their communities. MOSAIC: A LIFESPAN Studio is an inclusive art studio located in Greensboro, NC. This studio is a place for artists with disabilities to create art in a safe, open and fun environment.

The studio launched in 2013 after seeing diverse talent during the hour art classes at the LIFESPAN Creative Campus. “I was amazed at all of the great art they were making, especially the pottery,” says Dawn Caldwell the LIFESPAN Art Director. “Their inhibition and vision was unique and inspiring.” We then set into motion a plan to move to a separate location. At the new location instead of an hour art class twice a week they now can make art full days two to three days a week. They have the opportunity grow artistically and experiment working with different mediums including painting, pottery, mosaic art, jewelry and more.

Five original participants joined the new studio. Currently there are 13 artists. In March of 2018, the MOSAIC Studio will celebrate it’s fifth year. One thing that we love is that there is never a dull moment. The energy at the studio is contagious. While at the studio we focus on what the artists Can Do … Abilities Illuminated. 

Once the art is created, it is marketed to a variety of venues including shops, galleries, and shows. Artists can participate in group or individual shows. They also help with the marketing and promoting for events and shows. As a MOSAIC Studio artists they pay a small monthly fee used towards art supplies and materials. In turn, half of all of the proceeds from all art sales go to the individual artists. That is pretty amazing and much deserved.

The studio is a very busy place. To help us meet our deadlines and orders we are continually looking for volunteers. Volunteers are very helpful with assisting artists, loading the kiln or helping to decorate clay snowmen or bunnies. We welcome you to visit the studio Monday, Wednesday-Friday 9-3:30 to see where the magic happens.

To learn more about Mosaic: A LIFESPAN Studio please contact Dawn Ashby Caldwell, LIFESPAN Director of Arts at dashby@lifespanservices.org  or  336-455-1618.

Greensboro Location
2108-C Cheshire Way, Greensboro, NC 27405

Here are locations that you can see and purchase art made by the Mosaic Studio artists. Thanks for your support!

Lifespan Creative Campus (LCC)   908 McClellan Pl. Greensboro, NC 27409 336.852.1495
MOSAIC Studio   2108-C Cheshire Way  Greensboro, NC 27405  336.455.1618
Replacements Ltd.   1089 Knox Rd. McLeansville, NC 27301 336.697.3000
Irving Park Art & Frame   2105-A W. Cornwallis Dr. Greensboro, NC  27408  336.274.6717
Total Bliss 2130 New Garden Rd.Greensboro, NC 27410  336.441.5104
Vintage Cottage 150 Sunset Avenue  Asheboro, NC 27203  336-736-8015
Eclection 221 N. Main St.  Kernersville, NC 27284  336-497-4822

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Check out other “Doing Good Things” blogs here:
“Doing Good Things Series” – The Man Van
“Doing Good Things Series” – H.O.P.E
“Doing Good Things Series” –  Empowered Girls of North Carolina
“Doing Good Things Series” – The Speech Bus
“Doing Good Things Series” – Buddy Break
“Doing Good Things Series” – The Robert DeLoach Heroes League
“Doing Good Things Series” – The iCan House
“Doing Good Things Series” – ReadWS/Augustine Literacy Project
“Doing Good Things Series” –  Winston-Salem Ambassadors

To nominate a non-profit to be featured in our “Doing Good Things” series, email Rachel@triadmomsonmain.com.