125 W Jefferson Street Madison GA 30650

 Reaching beyond #MAGallery walls, our Art with Heart free educational arts outreach programs nurture our community through Crossroads Art for Life, Drop in Art, children's events at city sponsored festivals throughout the year and more. 

"The true purpose of arts education is to not necessarily create more professional artists. It's to create more complete human beings who are critical thinkers, who have curious minds, and who can lead productive lives."  Kelly Pollock

Art for Life: Building Creativity, Community and Connection is a collaborative project created and run by veteran art program instructors and working artist Elizabeth Collins Hanes and Angelina Bellebuono, facilitator of the social/emotional development component. 

This donor-funded program includes two school sessions per week, field trips, and community involvement to middle and high school children attending the Morgan County Alternative School.

For over 19 years, students at Morgan County Crossroads School have used art as part of an education outreach program through Steffen Thomas Museum. In 2019, the Crossroads program expanded its scope, changed it name,  and began operating under the guidance of the Madison Artists Guild. The program continues to gain local and regional recognition. 

In the spring or 2021, Art for Life was recognized by the Georgia General Assembly with Senate Resolution 185, which commended the program for many reasons including as an art education and life skills development course unique to Morgan County Charter School System; for its reputation of excellence in the community, as evidenced by it being entirely donor-funded, and for instilling among its students the importance of community by working collaboratively and giving back to and understanding one's place in the community.

This year's community art project incorporates photography skills, elements of design, artistic composition, planning and execution for a public art show. Using cell phones, they created, curated and installed a street-art photography exhibition onto an exterior wall of the Crossroads School building. This is the third outdoor art photography installation available to be viewed by the public at the school (1551 Bethany Road).

The success of Art for Life is due to the commitment of its excellent teachers.  "These are amazing, insightful and creative young people, with much to offer this world.  We are so grateful to have the opportunity to work with each and every one of them." -  Elizabeth Hanes and Angelina Bellebuono, 2022.   

If you would like to help support this program, donations can be made using the link above. The Madison Artists Guild is a 501c3 non-profit.   Thank you.