Investment Reaps Good Return

By SEAN C. LEDIG The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 10, 2007

Tommy Durham sits quietly at his canvas.

He dipped his brush into an empty egg carton smeared with acrylic paint. He removed some blue paint and added it to the sky over a tropical forest.

Durham, 37, said he enjoys the creative process. But more than that, painting is also therapy for the Belmont Heights resident.

"It gives me peace of mind," he said. "It helps me to concentrate more."

Durham is one of about 300 clients at Project Return, a community-based provider of services for adults with mental illness, said Judy Shelton, the organization's administrative manager.

His works hang in the lobby gallery, one of two galleries operated by the organization. Last summer, the organization opened Tower Gallery directly across the street at 303 W. Waters Ave. Project Return is at 304 W. Waters Ave.

This weekend, the center will hold the Muddy Waters Exhibit Reception from 6 to 11 p.m. Friday at the Tower Gallery and an open house at Project Return from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday.

Friday's reception will include live music featuring Hunker Down Roy and Phantom Limb Syndrome. For Saturday's open house, there is a $5 suggested donation.

The reception will feature work by Project Return's clients and professional artists in the community. Angela Dickerson, director of Project Return's art program, said it will not be noted whether the artwork was done by a client or a professional.

The gallery name, Tower Gallery, was inspired by the Sulphur Springs water tower, a longtime landmark in the area.

The artists show and sell their work in the gallery. Fifty percent of the proceeds from the sale go to the artist and 50 percent goes to Project Return.

Project Return's clients deal with a range of mental health issues from depression to schizophrenia to chronic drug abuse.

The organization assists people with housing, work preparation and employment services, education and social opportunities. The art program is used as a form of therapy and a means for clients to express themselves, Shelton said.

AT A GLANCE

WHAT: Muddy Waters Exhibit Reception and Project Return Open House.

WHERE: Tower Gallery, 303 W. Waters Ave., Project Return, 304 W. Waters Ave.

HOURS: The reception is from 6 to 11 p.m. Friday; the open house is 2 to 8 p.m. Saturday. The Muddy Waters Exhibit is from Friday through Aug. 3 at the Tower Gallery, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

INFORMATION: Call (813) 933-9020 or go to www.project return.org.

Reporter Sean C. Ledig can be reached at (813) 865-1507 or sledig@tampatrib.com.