Rating:

0.0 (0 votes)

The brightly colored building started as vibrant yellow, fading to mustard in the constant Tucson sun. Inside the color is just as strong. This is headquarters for CRIZMAC, named for the original founders of the group. Stevie Mack is one of those founders, saying "Our mission is helping learn about art."

She used to work as an art teacher in the Tucson Unified School District and started CRIZMAC with the goal of education.

"Through the CRIZMAC institute we offer education programming in the way of educational travel to not only educators but to the general public."

She also has a retail operation and a catalog. However, she's true to the original mission and her background. The goal remains education.

"One of those programs is called Articulations and it is a free lecture series that we have offered now for three years," she says.

More people than ever attend the free lectures. Mack says the slow economy plays a role in the increase.

"We have noticed in the last year that we have people coming to attend Articulations who we have been sending information to for about three years."

The free lectures are important for people seeking creative outlets in tough times.

"With people, about our program, we always say, 'Well you should do it for your art and soul.'"

Mack also says creative people will find a way to be creative.

"I think that people seek that kind of enrichment to deepen the quality of their life and when times are tough, they're looking for free things that have merit and have quality."

Instructors and educators gravitate to CRIZMAC's classes and materials. Mack says art education has never received a lot of funding.

"But I think this time out it's probably the most severe cut that we've seen." Cuts can be tough, affecting a lot of people. "We felt it not only in the educational market but of course in people's households as well," says Mack.

It's important for people and groups to help each other fulfill artistic desires.

"Art offers something that is special and unique to people. They will gravitate to fulfilling that creative urge," says Mack.

Overall, Mack and the CRIZMAC team want to share beauty and knowledge - feeding both art and soul.

"We hope that when someone comes here they will ask questions. We can help them learn a little bit," says Mack.