Onye Found A Creative Refuge From The Shelter In The Studio

By Kristin Arzt

When Onye first heard about our adult scholarship program, she jumped at the opportunity to get in the studio. Art is ingrained in Onye’s everyday life, starting with ceramics classes in high school to majoring in apparel design at Laney College. Onye is currently living in a shelter for transitional aged youth and The Crucible’s Jewelry studio provided her with a therapeutic outlet she had been craving.

“There is a lot of hectic energy at the shelter, so it was really therapeutic to get a change of scenery and make something with my hands that I now wear every day,” she shared, proudly sporting the silver rings she made in Jewelry and Metals I.

“I struggle with depression because of my current situation. Knowing that I have the Jewelry studio to come back to, and knowing that I have a safe space is really comforting,” Onye explained. She is already talking to her younger brother, who is 14, about our youth scholarship program so that he can have access to the same therapeutic environment and inspiring, creative community.

“It means so much that the scholarships are in place for people who can’t afford it. It is rare to have an opportunity to explore something you really love in the classroom for free.”

In January, we announced an expanded adult scholarship program with over $50,000 available in scholarship funds made possible because of our generous donors. This new funding gives us the capacity to offer full scholarships to roughly 70 adults every year, and to help adults like Onye find a resting place in our studios while tapping into their creative spirit.

“I am so grateful for the opportunity to take classes here and to meet the amazing, humble people at The Crucible,” Onye told us. “It means so much that the scholarships are in place for people who can’t afford it. It is rare to have an opportunity to explore something you really love in the classroom for free.”

Now that her semester at Laney has ended, Onye will get back into our studios to tackle more projects. She plans to combine her Jewelry and coding skills by making circuit board earrings. Since the circuit board parts tend to poke and stick out, Onye has plans to 3D print a set to mimic the real thing.

We cannot wait for Onye to return to our studios and for the many other adult scholarship recipients to find a creative refuge in the discipline’s of their choice. In addition to re-launching our adult scholarship program, we are pleased to continue to offer 50% off tuition to seniors, City of Oakland employees, firefighters, full-time college students, veterans and active military, and educators.