Passion Works is an inclusive art studio in Athens, Ohio. Its mission is "to create and support inclusive communities through individual exploration and the collaborative art process." It thrives through the collaboration of staff artists, core artists and many community member volunteers. Passion Works was founded in 1998 by Executive Director Patty Mitchell. While there is work to be done in the studio daily, October was an especially busy month for the Passion Works family as they prepared for their annual Honey for the Heart parade.
Passion Works Artist Michelle Conroy hugs Lead Artist in Residence Wendy Minor Viny during a day of painting on Oct. 9. Conroy has worked at Passion Works for five years, seven days a week. "I love Passion Works because of how kind and open people are to each other daily and how different artists can collaborate and express themselves in their own way without being judged," Conroy said.
On Oct. 9, Passion Works Artist Stacey Strickmaker waves while working on a painting. Strickmaker walked in the Honey for the Heart Parade on Oct. 26 in costume. "I love taking my experiences and manifesting them all into an organization to be able to share with others and support people with developmental differences," said Executive Director and Founder Patty Mitchell.
On Oct. 16, Passion Works Staff Member and Cottage Industry Sewist Tina Carnes Kelsey helps a local Athens family bring their idea of a lobster costume come to life. Community members were able to come into Central Venue from Oct. 7 to Oct. 25 to make whatever costumes they wanted or help contribute to other costumes in progress. "Passion Works, in connection with Ohio University, puts on the Honey for the Heart parade each year. This year, it went so well! We ran out of costumes, and we made tons of costumes," said Honey for the Heart Artist in Residence David Lawrence.
At Central Venue on Oct. 16, Passion Works Executive Director and Founder Patty Mitchell sews a chocolate chip hat for someone to wear during the parade. Costumes for the parade ranged from various foods like sushi, noodles or fries, to vivid imaginary creatures. "My favorite part about working with Passion Works is watching people discover their own talents, to have a different perspective of possibility with different people, problem solving and materials," said Mitchell.
Honey for the Heart Artist in Residence David Lawrence and Passion Works Executive Director and Founder Patty Mitchell laugh together while working on costumes at central venue on Oct. 23. Lawrence is also a host for the weekly community art night at Passion Works every Wednesday. "At some point each day, when working with the Passion Works family, there's a moment when we all buckle over and laugh so hard we can't breathe. It's a lovely place," Lawrence said.
On October 23, Passion Works Lead Artist in Residence Wendy Minor Viny works on a paper mache donut at Central Venue. During the weeks leading up to the parade, Passion Works staff members split their time between working at the studio with other artists, and helping prepare for the parade at Central Venue. "Honey for the Heart grew out of Passion Works and it has been supported by Arts for Ohio and learning communities at Ohio University and other local organizations," said Founder Patty Mitchell.
Honey for the Heart Artist in Residence David Lawrence rides his bike out of Central Venue on Oct. 16. The area became filled with different costumes as the weeks went by, ready to be worn when it was time for the parade. "Passion Works is a cornerstone of the Athens community. I'm so grateful to be a part of the team," Lawrence said.
On October 26, Passion Works Lead Artist in Residence Wendy Minor Viny helps finalize Passion Works Artist Stacey Strickmaker's costume before leaving for the parade. Community members met at Central Venue at 4 p.m. to pick their costumes before the parade took off down Court St. at 5 p.m. "Passion Works is a community in Athens where everyone, no matter who you are or what society said you were capable of, can find purpose connection and belonging," Honey for the Heart Artist in Residence David Lawrence said.
Passion Works' annual Honey for the Heart Parade was established in 2012. The studio partners with many sponsors such as Ohio University Learning Communities, Arts for Ohio, and the Ohio Arts Council in order to make this parade a possibility, in addition to many Athens community members and volunteers.
Athens locals and Ohio University students eagerly await for the parade to begin as they wait in the parade line on Fern St. on Oct. 26. While in line, they played music through various instruments while Court St. began to fill up with community members ready to watch. "It was great. It was a very focused and many people were there. We haven't done the full count, but we're looking at close to 1,800," said Passion Works Executive Director and Founder Patty Mitchell.
Athens community members walk down Court St. on Oct. 26 during the Honey for the Heart parade. The parade was established in 2012 and continues to occur each year. "Honey for the Heart was named by a woman who was a visiting artist at Athens from Chile with Passion Works and she described Athens as honey for her heart, and that's where the parade got its name," said Passion Works Executive Director and Founder Patty Mitchell.
Materials used to create their iconic puppets and costumes are all recycled and what they claim, most would see as "junk". However they completely repurpose it into something positive for the entire community to enjoy and be a part of.
On Oct. 26, Athens community members march in Passion Works' Honey for the Heart Parade. Following the parade, there was a "HFTH Ball" at Central Venue open to all community members to continue to foster Passion Works' goal of inclusion. "I love the joy people have making and seeing their art work, people with developmental differences demonstrating their abilities and that translating into economic participation within our community and beyond and creating jobs for lots of different people," said Passion Works Executive Director and Founder Patty Mitchell.
A member of the Honey for the Heart parade high fives a community member watching it along Court St. on Oct. 26. Those marching in the parade often stopped to talk and include those watching, and even encouraged them to jump in with them. "I think people see Passion Works as a sense of pride. It's a place making an aesthetic that represents our community, and if people want to say why they live in Athens, Ohio, Passion Works is something that people can point to and say 'this is what our community is like'", said Passion Works Executive Director and Founder Patty Mitchell.