Testimonials
If you attended any of the recent Ocean Grove weekends, send us your testimonial!
"For me, A.R.T.S. recovery has been about growth through creative risk-taking and breaking self-restricting artistic habits. Nowhere has that process been more evident than at the Convention. In my case, it inspired a musical satire despite my tendency to write serious works. The work was selected for an international recording series, which solicited additional, contrasting material. I've been a part of that series ever since. Without the Convention, it probably wouldn't have occurred to me to take that risk. 'No matter how small or how simple' – the process works."
-- Adam L., songwriter/performer/producer
"Going to ARTS in Ocean Grove is a balm on my creative soul. This year I sang, danced, did improv and projected my images on Saturday night. It is my favorite place to play."
-- Kate E.
"It's very precious to me to have such a supportive and enthusiastic group of people to perform in front of. The opportunity to try out my new material in such a safe and responsive environment is so valuable to me. Every year it takes me to the next stage of my creative development. Thanks ARTS!"
-- Hilda H., singer/songwriter, New York
"As usual Ocean Grove meets and exceeds all expectations. We are such an amazing community. I am sending you all so much love. I have a renewed faith that this energy is and will continue. I really do feel empowered in a new way. I really get what Nick F. pointed out: the words we, us and our for me truly are the most important words in the steps. I can allow myself to belong, I no longer have to be a misfit. I will continue in a new way to support myself in getting my art out into the world, in bringing out my LIGHT from behind the proverbial or should I say preverbial bushel!"
-- Love, Ellen W., NYC
"I've been attending the ARTS Ocean Grove convention for the last 14 years and I'm always gratified by the warmth, the sharing, and the talent of all our members. I'm so grateful to be part of a program that has encouraged and helped me grow as a musician and I love spending time with my friends in this beautiful setting on the Jersey shore. Thanks ARTS."
-- Val G.
Excellent weekend! I've been going for some time (I think this was #15 for me) and I always have a great time. But this year, because there were so many newcomers, I realized that my pleasure is actually divided into two parts: (1) my own personal experience, and (2) being a part of (and witness to) so many new members' experience. There's no way you can see the difference between people's curiosity and trepidation when they arrive on Friday and their happiness and gratitude when they leave on Sunday without it having an effect on you. So thanks again to all the ARTS planners and contributors, and another big Thank You to all the newcomers who decided to take a chance on something new -- you made the weekend especially great for me.
-- Jay M., recording engineer, musician, website developer
So grateful I could speak up at last in each group meeting, feeling I belong. Taught a fine essay writing lesson. Hugged several beautiful people, went home happy.
-- Jay A., Tarrytown, poet, artist, dreamer, shy shrink
I've been in A.R.T.S. eleven years, going on twelve - November 18th. I was introduced to A.R.T.S. by a Mary who'd been a member of A.R.T.S. several years. She was an excellent painter and concert pianist.
It was really a great revelation to me when Mary brought up A.R.T.S., a meeting she'd been going to at St. Peter's Church, E. 53rd Street and Lexington Avenue. Just before joining A.R.T.S., she and I had talked about art, what we liked, what we felt we were good at. I found myself admiring Mary's paintings, which she often did outside in public, e.g. Bryant Park. I heard her play piano once - at the A.R.T.S. meeting at St. Peter's Church.
So, I was brought into my first A.R.T.S. meeting, Friday, November 18, 1998 - I believe it being the 18th. I witnessed a large group of people talking about their art, difficulties they'd had - to even high emotions and tears! It moved me very much, and I could see how I myself could participate.
As time went by, I got to participate in Artshares - playing piano mainly - sometimes singing. I eventually did some female impersonations. I loved how the group supported me, not ridiculing me as had happened other times when I'd tried getting involved artistically, especially Karaoke. It was the one and only activity I looked forward to except eating, and having done a little of my art at the city's library - writing. I had started writing 'MY HOMELESS EXPERIENCE' in 1997, on thrown-away brown paper bags, using pens and pencils I'd found. Eventually I ended up in city libraries, learning the Internet, e-mail; which I put my writings on, saving them. I now have maybe twenty email addresses full of my writings, mainly non-fiction, some fiction. Yet, I did not share my writings with A.R.T.S., not until this year - 2010 - at the upcoming Ocean Grove Convention.
I'm also into photography, and shortly after joining A.R.T.S., my brother brought in my old Minolta 700 SLR camera, which I had used prior to my becoming homeless. In 1998, nearly 1999; it had been about three years since I'd used a camera, except the cheap throwaway versions I'd manage to get before having that great Minolta 700 SLR. It took me a while to relearn how to use it again - Christmas 1998 photos all ruined but a couple. By spring, I'd mastered it pretty well.
It was A.R.T.S. that got me going again when I thought all had been lost. It even made my other time worth getting through - the terribly boring days becoming less so though still pretty bad. I just looked forward to A.R.T.S. every Friday at St. Peter's Church. I got to know the other members, appreciating their talents, they mine. I felt like I'd become a member of a family again, when my own had failed me - still so. A.R.T.S. got me through the week, my carrying it with me. I got more and more involved doing my art, adding the other talents I had that had just about been lost. I am a multi-talented artist, making it difficult to concentrate on just one, though now I see my music might just be leaving me. It could be that writing will be the main thing for me, as our founder Abby had thought piano playing would be for me. I hate to see one talent lost that I'd had. I guess one never really loses it, but as 'they' say - "If you don't use it, you lose it." To a degree, that may have happened to me.
I turned 70 last December, and one of the traits of older people in A.R.T.S. can be - it's too late, I'm too old. I still feel this way, as I've not 'arrived' yet as a professionally paid artist. You tend to feel, at my age, even if it happens - how long would I get to enjoy it? I now live under Section 8 housing, would love to have my own home, apartment. How long would that last were I to suddenly have that, at 70? I could die tomorrow. Yet, I believe in living for today, as tomorrow never comes - today always. My mother used to say that: "Take today" - even three days before she died! By the way, my Ocean Grove share this year honors her - 'A LAST MOTHER'S DAY GOOD-BYE'. I'll do a five-minute reading, have a 1984 photo of the two of us shown as a slide. Young people can die today as well!
So, A.R.T.S. has been my savior, God in mind, the Serenty Prayer, which we always say. I have such a great attitude now, despite intermittent negatives thrown at me, that I can make my time count, doing my art, not for the money nor fame of it - I just love it! A.R.T.S. helped me realize this.
I want to thank Abby B for starting this fabulous group in 1984, the year my mother died. My mother was an artist - painted and played the piano and organ. I also want to thank everybody in A.R.T.S. - mostly - for having helped me so much through very dark days, and still, with things having got a lot better. I've enjoyed the meetings, though I have not gone to any in a while - also having enjoyed eleven Ocean Grove, NJ, annual Conventions. I always look forward to that every May, eveverything about it - Friday evenings through Sunday afternoons - the work shops, Saturday night 5-minute artshares on stage before a supporting audience. It's nearly like The Academy Awards! Sort of! Thank You!
-- Toby V.
"For me, A.R.T.S. recovery has been about growth through creative risk-taking and breaking self-restricting artistic habits. Nowhere has that process been more evident than at the Convention. In my case, it inspired a musical satire despite my tendency to write serious works. The work was selected for an international recording series, which solicited additional, contrasting material. I've been a part of that series ever since. Without the Convention, it probably wouldn't have occurred to me to take that risk. 'No matter how small or how simple' – the process works."
-- Adam L., songwriter/performer/producer
"Going to ARTS in Ocean Grove is a balm on my creative soul. This year I sang, danced, did improv and projected my images on Saturday night. It is my favorite place to play."
-- Kate E.
"It's very precious to me to have such a supportive and enthusiastic group of people to perform in front of. The opportunity to try out my new material in such a safe and responsive environment is so valuable to me. Every year it takes me to the next stage of my creative development. Thanks ARTS!"
-- Hilda H., singer/songwriter, New York
"As usual Ocean Grove meets and exceeds all expectations. We are such an amazing community. I am sending you all so much love. I have a renewed faith that this energy is and will continue. I really do feel empowered in a new way. I really get what Nick F. pointed out: the words we, us and our for me truly are the most important words in the steps. I can allow myself to belong, I no longer have to be a misfit. I will continue in a new way to support myself in getting my art out into the world, in bringing out my LIGHT from behind the proverbial or should I say preverbial bushel!"
-- Love, Ellen W., NYC
"I've been attending the ARTS Ocean Grove convention for the last 14 years and I'm always gratified by the warmth, the sharing, and the talent of all our members. I'm so grateful to be part of a program that has encouraged and helped me grow as a musician and I love spending time with my friends in this beautiful setting on the Jersey shore. Thanks ARTS."
-- Val G.
Excellent weekend! I've been going for some time (I think this was #15 for me) and I always have a great time. But this year, because there were so many newcomers, I realized that my pleasure is actually divided into two parts: (1) my own personal experience, and (2) being a part of (and witness to) so many new members' experience. There's no way you can see the difference between people's curiosity and trepidation when they arrive on Friday and their happiness and gratitude when they leave on Sunday without it having an effect on you. So thanks again to all the ARTS planners and contributors, and another big Thank You to all the newcomers who decided to take a chance on something new -- you made the weekend especially great for me.
-- Jay M., recording engineer, musician, website developer
So grateful I could speak up at last in each group meeting, feeling I belong. Taught a fine essay writing lesson. Hugged several beautiful people, went home happy.
-- Jay A., Tarrytown, poet, artist, dreamer, shy shrink
I've been in A.R.T.S. eleven years, going on twelve - November 18th. I was introduced to A.R.T.S. by a Mary who'd been a member of A.R.T.S. several years. She was an excellent painter and concert pianist.
It was really a great revelation to me when Mary brought up A.R.T.S., a meeting she'd been going to at St. Peter's Church, E. 53rd Street and Lexington Avenue. Just before joining A.R.T.S., she and I had talked about art, what we liked, what we felt we were good at. I found myself admiring Mary's paintings, which she often did outside in public, e.g. Bryant Park. I heard her play piano once - at the A.R.T.S. meeting at St. Peter's Church.
So, I was brought into my first A.R.T.S. meeting, Friday, November 18, 1998 - I believe it being the 18th. I witnessed a large group of people talking about their art, difficulties they'd had - to even high emotions and tears! It moved me very much, and I could see how I myself could participate.
As time went by, I got to participate in Artshares - playing piano mainly - sometimes singing. I eventually did some female impersonations. I loved how the group supported me, not ridiculing me as had happened other times when I'd tried getting involved artistically, especially Karaoke. It was the one and only activity I looked forward to except eating, and having done a little of my art at the city's library - writing. I had started writing 'MY HOMELESS EXPERIENCE' in 1997, on thrown-away brown paper bags, using pens and pencils I'd found. Eventually I ended up in city libraries, learning the Internet, e-mail; which I put my writings on, saving them. I now have maybe twenty email addresses full of my writings, mainly non-fiction, some fiction. Yet, I did not share my writings with A.R.T.S., not until this year - 2010 - at the upcoming Ocean Grove Convention.
I'm also into photography, and shortly after joining A.R.T.S., my brother brought in my old Minolta 700 SLR camera, which I had used prior to my becoming homeless. In 1998, nearly 1999; it had been about three years since I'd used a camera, except the cheap throwaway versions I'd manage to get before having that great Minolta 700 SLR. It took me a while to relearn how to use it again - Christmas 1998 photos all ruined but a couple. By spring, I'd mastered it pretty well.
It was A.R.T.S. that got me going again when I thought all had been lost. It even made my other time worth getting through - the terribly boring days becoming less so though still pretty bad. I just looked forward to A.R.T.S. every Friday at St. Peter's Church. I got to know the other members, appreciating their talents, they mine. I felt like I'd become a member of a family again, when my own had failed me - still so. A.R.T.S. got me through the week, my carrying it with me. I got more and more involved doing my art, adding the other talents I had that had just about been lost. I am a multi-talented artist, making it difficult to concentrate on just one, though now I see my music might just be leaving me. It could be that writing will be the main thing for me, as our founder Abby had thought piano playing would be for me. I hate to see one talent lost that I'd had. I guess one never really loses it, but as 'they' say - "If you don't use it, you lose it." To a degree, that may have happened to me.
I turned 70 last December, and one of the traits of older people in A.R.T.S. can be - it's too late, I'm too old. I still feel this way, as I've not 'arrived' yet as a professionally paid artist. You tend to feel, at my age, even if it happens - how long would I get to enjoy it? I now live under Section 8 housing, would love to have my own home, apartment. How long would that last were I to suddenly have that, at 70? I could die tomorrow. Yet, I believe in living for today, as tomorrow never comes - today always. My mother used to say that: "Take today" - even three days before she died! By the way, my Ocean Grove share this year honors her - 'A LAST MOTHER'S DAY GOOD-BYE'. I'll do a five-minute reading, have a 1984 photo of the two of us shown as a slide. Young people can die today as well!
So, A.R.T.S. has been my savior, God in mind, the Serenty Prayer, which we always say. I have such a great attitude now, despite intermittent negatives thrown at me, that I can make my time count, doing my art, not for the money nor fame of it - I just love it! A.R.T.S. helped me realize this.
I want to thank Abby B for starting this fabulous group in 1984, the year my mother died. My mother was an artist - painted and played the piano and organ. I also want to thank everybody in A.R.T.S. - mostly - for having helped me so much through very dark days, and still, with things having got a lot better. I've enjoyed the meetings, though I have not gone to any in a while - also having enjoyed eleven Ocean Grove, NJ, annual Conventions. I always look forward to that every May, eveverything about it - Friday evenings through Sunday afternoons - the work shops, Saturday night 5-minute artshares on stage before a supporting audience. It's nearly like The Academy Awards! Sort of! Thank You!
-- Toby V.
