Artist Angela Dickerson teaches art for Project Return, a comprehensive day program for adults with mental illness. Angela's intuitive approach to her special clients demonstrates a perfect brand of professionalism laced with a heavy dose of personal caring. At Project Return's Tampa facility, she oversees members as they work with a wide range of media and thrive under her gentle, nonjudgmental supervision. Working at large round tables that promote camaraderie, the artists focus on art works to sell at the numerous public exhibitions their teacher arranges. The work of these artists has been equated with outsider art, a growing popular style created by artists lacking formal training. Even so, viewing their work often brings to mind bits and pieces of the great visual artists of the 20th century. Beneath such touchstones however, are traces of profound emotions and lives touched with unique experiences. In the last year Dickerson's efforts were responsible for Project Return exhibitions at the Advocacy Center for People with Disabilities, TECO Plaza, and most recently at the HCC Art Gallery, Ybor Campus.
Angela Dickerson, Project Return, 304 W. Waters Ave., Tampa, 813-933-9020.
This article appears in Sep 25 – Oct 1, 2003.