Steve Tracy, successful painter/teacher whose life, he says, was saved by art, met up one day with Janine Sturdavant, geologist, artist, and a tireless advocate for helping needy teenagers He found Janine frustrated in her effort to find an artist to design a logo for her restaurant. Steve accomplished that art task, and went on to prove that he could do just about anything in art.

Janine signed up for Steve's painting class at Foothills Art Center in Golden. Backed by former occupational therapist and local philanthropist, Elaine Collins, and aided by Steve's sister, Beth Estrada, and Steve's exuberant students—ARK was born—a citizen's voluntary initiative dedicated to guiding troubled, addicted confined teens through an art course which condenses the experiences of a career artist: training, experimenting, acquiring a gallery and—high point—full-fledged exhibition opening when the students' paintings are hung in a real gallery.

The impact of these ARK programs on the students from rehabilitation centers and lockdown residential facilities has astounded both the supervisors who accompany the kids to each session, and the professional arts people associated with the project. The kids start the class frowning, stooped, indifferent. But Steve Tracy understands.

He has experienced both life "on the mean streets of San Francisco and heights of patronage and success in New York (his 1996 pre- 9/ll paintings of the twin towers are appraised at $115,00 and archived with a dealer there) His own youth was difficult and he knows how to reach the kids. Freed from the need to "catch a likeness," the kids cut loose! One female student declared, "It's funny. When we came in here, canvases were blank. But when we were done, they were full of life. It's like when we were all new we were blank canvases, but then we start creating more than art..."

All the administrators, aides and guests at the receptions have been thrilled. To quote them: "They radiated pride in their work." "They chatted with vivacity, Stooped shoulders were gone." Many expressed an interest in continuing art studies, and ARK is negotiating free classes with locales such as Art Students League and Foothills Art Center.

Steve, the guests, even former art critic and Foothills Art Center Executive Director Carol Dickinson, have been amazed at the drama, impact and daring abstract works. Dickinson declares, "The ARK art, at the one-night show openings is often more riveting, more mysterious, than professional shows I have seen.I think the excitement animating these paintings comes from the mandate that realism is taboo, but kids are free to paint out their fears, hopes. fantasies in a completely modernist manner.

After the youths have created several paintings, an exhibition is arranged and all of them experience sell-
ing their work! Carol Dickinson said, “Steve shows kids how to balance originality with dynamic design.” Janine Sturdavant has helped ARK become established. “Steve gives kids a chance to feel positive self esteem and hope for the future,” she said.

Their symbols are mysterious; their brushwork-- sometimes fierce and stabbing. On the more practical side, the kids are thrilled when their paintings sell; and the shows often sell out! Check out some of their work here.

For information about the Ark Initiative, call 720-985-3405.