One Sixty Eight the arts

The Arts
Why the arts?
Links to more...

The Gray Space Center for the Arts

The Arts

A focal point for much of the work of One Sixty Eight is centered in the arts. The arts are so widely varied and accessible to all individuals no matter what their abilities or interests.

fine arts
(drawing, painting, photography, graphic design, sculpture, printmaking...)
performance arts
(music, dance, drama...)
written and spoken word
(poetry, creative writing, song writing...)
the crafts
(culinary, metalsmithing, woodworking, stained glass...)

As we strive to offer only the highest quality arts experiences for individuals of all ages, we will help to...

develop core human values and pro-social skills in order to build strong character.
develop self-esteem and self-confidence through encouragement and validation.
develop the courage to make healthy and appropriate life choices.
inspire interest in the development of a marketable skill (vocation).
encourage ownership in their lives and future through involvement in productive opportunities and recognition that their ideas are beneficial and that their potential is limitless.
develop life-long learning skills by sparking the curiosity to learn, which is wisdom.
build healthy relationships that cross all barriers.

Why the arts?
Recently, much has been researched and written about the value of the arts in all spectrums of life. Here are just a few quotes that effectively promote the arts as a powerful tool for shaping our world.

"Artist focus on what is, and not on what can be, not on what's missing... That's the critical distinction that helps young people discover creative ways of learning, communicating, working and behaving."
William Cleveland

"Art can change lives. Art can turn around a troubled teenager, help a kid kick drugs, get young men and women off the streets and into creative and constructive pursuits. Art can change attitudes, build self-esteem, and redirect the path of the wayward. Art can prevent despair."
Jane Alexander

"Craftsmanship set a style, an idea, an attitude. There is a direct correlation between the arts and self-esteem."
Bill Strickland

Links to more on the value of the arts:

The Arts: A Lifetime of Learning

Americans for the Arts

National Art Education Association

New Horizons for Learning: Arts in Education

Rand Corporation - Reframing the Debate About the Value of the Arts

NY Times Art and Design

Manchester Craftsman's Guild Success Stories

The Gray Space Center for the Arts
The Gray Space Center for the Arts is our home office, studio and gallery. It is located on 1115 East Main Street in Rochester. It is a center for creativity and exploration as well as a gallery to showcase work done by One Sixty Eight friends and artists. This space exists to offer time/space where artists of all types can share the creation of their arts with the world through classes, workshops, forums, discussions, "jams", lessons, mentoring, etc. We invite people to come and experience the creative process for themselves.

The name Gray Space comes from the space between black and white, "rite" and wrong, left and right, sacred and profane; the questions where the answers dwell. Over the past several years, I have come to refer to this commonly as the gray space, or those of us who are able to ask questions and see value in our doubt as those who are gray thinkers. It just seemed appropriate to name a center for arts and creative exploration after the heart of gray.

See photos of the Gray Space.

Check out our programs at our Schedule of Events page.

Get directions to The Gray Space at our Directions page.

We are a proud and active member of HUA (Hungerford Urban Artisans). HUA is a group of artisans who have come together for community and to raise awareness of the fantastic artisans practicing their crafts within the walls of the Hungerford building. For more information, check out the web site at www.huastudios.org.