Live Yes Studios Provides Creative Outlet for Adults With Developmental Disabilities

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“I imagine that yes is the only living thing.”

This quote by poet E.E. Cummings was the inspiration behind the name of the new art gallery downtown, Live Yes Studios, located on 13th and M streets. The studio allows adults with developmental disabilities the opportunity to explore their creativity and improve self-confidence through a variety of artistic mediums, including pastels, acrylics, watercolors, mixed media clay mosaics, music and photography.

Director Jen Lewis explains how the studio has become a great outlet for adults with developmental disabilities to discover and express their individuality and ingenuity.

“Live Yes Studios is a place where art becomes alive to those with developmental disabilities. The act of creating develops a variety of strengths in the artist, and welds these strengths together to form a happy and productive personality.”

Lewis says the environment Live Yes bolsters is one that is both nurturing and without competition, and thus, promotes a positive self-image and a growth of character within the artists.

The studio is a part of Resources for Human Development (RHD), a nonprofit service provider that supports and oversees 160+ human service programs and art studios across the country. More specifically, Live Yes is a part of RHD Nebraska, which is located just off 58th and Old Cheney.

“These studios provide a wide spectrum of activities in art-related fields. In this environment, individuals of all functional levels work side by side, participating in painting, pottery making, photography, filmmaking, drama, music, and dance,” Lewis says.

Since Live Yes Studios first opened early last month, the staff and artists have been busy preparing for their inaugural First Friday Artwalk today. There are currently six full-time staff artists who possess a mixture of artistic abilities and developmental disability services, but Live Yes is welcome to anyone who wants to help out in the studio or donate to their cause.

“We are always looking for volunteer staff artists interested in making a difference in someone’s life.”

The studio’s director says she’s more than happy to be among the 20 art galleries that are located in downtown Lincoln, the heart of the city’s art scene.

“The best part of having the gallery downtown is being a part of the vibrant and amazing Lincoln Art Community; we have used the people, buildings and landscapes as inspirations in our artwork.”

Lewis says Live Yes spawned from an unmet need in the community that RHD Nebraska saw, which was a quality art day program for adults with developmental disabilities.

“Art Centers/Studios for persons with disabilities are an important innovative alternative to more traditional programming and should be a part of the array of services available to all adults with intellectual disabilities.”

Through Live Yes Studios, Jen hopes to “break down societal barriers and create a space where individuality is fostered,” and “celebrate the unique abilities each person brings to this open and creative environment.”

Art is a unifier. Its form is liquid and knows no bounds. It does not discriminate. It soars from the minds of the free spirited and finds those who need it most, at times when it’s needed most. It is the greatest storyteller, the greatest therapist and the greatest mentor. Art is a testament to the human condition- the only living thing. 

“It’s how I express my thoughts, my personality and my vision,” Lewis says. “It is now how I am changing the world through Live Yes.”

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For more information on Live Yes Studios, visit their website or Facebook page.