Creativity for a Cause — and for a Living

The brightly lit studio of Art Enables features a burst of colors: Images of people and street scenes painted with oils and watercolors line the walls. The artists at the studio say hi to visitors, shake people’s hands, and discuss the projects they’re working on.

The nonprofit is far more than just a creative outlet for people with disabilities. Its entrepreneurial model gives artists the opportunity to make art, market it, and earn an income.

Many artists have been at the Washington, D.C., studio for more than 10 years. All supplies are provided for free.

Egbert “Clem” Evans has been working at Art Enables for 15 years. Evans often paints portraits and narrative scenes of everyday life, drawing from his own experiences, in a palette of yellows and oranges.

“When you first look at the piece, you may only capture 5, 10 percent of the detail that he has in there,” executive director Tony Brunswick says. “The more time you spend with his work, the more things you begin to see, which makes his pieces really unique.”

Many of the artists at the studio have developmental disabilities like autism or mental health challenges like bipolar disorder. Others have suffered traumatic brain injuries.

Many folks find Art Enables through the D.C. Department on Disability Services, partner organizations, or friends and family. The studio also functions as a community arts space where the public can tour the gallery and participate in workshops.

Brunswick says the nonprofit aims to help people use their creativity in an entrepreneurial way to create self-employment opportunities. “That’s different than just a job,” he says.

So far, the nonprofit’s artists have sold over $1 million worth of art.

“They might not be able to articulate what the place has necessarily done or how the experience has impacted them, but you can see it in their demeanor,” Brunswick says. “We’ve had people say this is the best thing that’s ever happened to them.”

Ariella Phillips is a web producer at the Chronicle. She often writes the monthly Face of Philanthropy column, which focuses on small nonprofits around the world. She recently wrote about a charity helping poor people living in the rainforest. Email Ariella or follow her on Twitter.