MAG Outreach

Art for Life

Life Skills and Art Program at Crossroads School

A specialized collaborative youth development program for students at Morgan County Alternative School (Crossroads School) offered by Madison Artists Guild and delivered by veteran working artist Elizabeth Collins Hanes and certified grief counselor Angelina Bellebuono. Art for Life is the only non-computer-based instruction offered at Crossroads. The Art for Life curriculum is created with Georgia Standards of Excellence (GSE) lesson and project development plans, which means Crossroads students earn transcript grades for their effort and output. This unique program combines life skills training with art education and is fully funded with community donations given through the Madison Artists Guild, Inc, a 501(c)3 non-profit.

Since 2019, the Art for Life program has ended each school year with a street-art style photography installation on the exterior walls of the Crossroads School building located at 1551 Bethany Road, Madison. Using cell phones as a personal lens, the students create, curate and install a personal exhibition that gives voice to their world. The students navigate the challenges of collaborative work as they plan and execute a public art show while learning photography skills, elements of design, and artistic composition.

A Brief History of Art for Life

Beginning in the early 2000s, students at Morgan County Crossroads School had access to art through an education outreach program provided by the Steffen Thomas Museum in Buckhead, Georgia. In 2019, Madison Artists Guild assumed responsibility for raising the funds necessary to offer the program, the teachers expanded the scope of instruction to include life skills training, and the name Art for Life was adopted

Senate Resolution 185 Awarded to Art for Life

In the spring of 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.

"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, Art for Life teachers