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The Roarke Center's budding artists have moved from the studio to the art gallery with a new exhibit at the Visions Gallery at the diocesan Pastoral Center in Albany.

The exhibit, which runs until Feb. 28, shows work from artists who live in poverty and deal with mental illness and substance abuse issues, according to director Sister Linda O'Rourke, DC.

The Roarke Center, located in Troy, was founded in 1997 by the Daughters of Charity religious order and has since become a Catholic Charities agency. The center aims to enhance the lives of struggling people in Troy through a variety of programs, including emergency assistance, a food pantry, reentry services after incarceration and adult literacy programs.

This is the second exhibit for the artists, whose work was previously featured in The Evangelist.

Last fall, four of the 31 artists traveled to Niagara University in Buffalo for an exhibit commemorating the 350th anniversary of the death of St. Vincent de Paul, who founded the school and the Daughters of Charity.

Art classes at the Roarke Center in Troy are run by Sister Loretta Hoag, who is also an artist. Her work, including sculptures, appears in the new show.

"These classes provide a venue for self-esteem and a social scene," said Sister Linda. "It is not just production-oriented. It changes the quality of their lives."

Many participants have led difficult lives, and art is often one of the first areas where they experience success. Classes cover a variety of media, including printmaking, watercolor and acrylic painting, sewing, weaving, pottery and photography.

Since Sister Linda became director of the Roarke Center in 2001, its monthly assistance rate has risen from about 25 to 250 families. (Call 273-8351 for information.)

(02/03/11) [[In-content Ad]]

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