In the heart of Downtown Canton鈥檚 arts district, an art studio space buzzes with activity. Inside, up to 20 artists on any given day work on their latest creations 鈥� painting, drawing, sketching and researching.
Since opening its doors in 2017, Silo Arts Studio has welcomed adults with disabilities to grow their artistic talents, learn new techniques and build relationships with the community.
鈥淲e鈥檙e an artist collective,鈥� said Todd Donnelly, Silo鈥檚 owner and facilitator. 鈥淚 find the artists and make sure they have the materials that they need and the space that they need to express whatever they need to express.鈥�
With a background in performing arts, Donnelly knew the importance of building friendships among other creatives and having the freedom to express oneself. He just hadn鈥檛 seen many opportunities where adults with disabilities could take themselves seriously as artists.
鈥淚t was more a question for me, 鈥榃hat if these people could really focus on that?鈥欌�� Donnelly said.
In addition to providing individual spaces for each artist to create, Silo also brings in two teaching artists to hold workshops on different art forms and practices.
鈥淭hey have a real drive to be artists. This is what they want to do,鈥� Donnelly said. 鈥淎nd so, the idea is to help connect them to the larger art world.鈥�
Canton-based artist Kat Francis is one of those instructors, working with Silo since 2020. She said the artists help guide her on what the next thing is to teach.
鈥淚 go around and talk to each artist individually and am guided by what they need,鈥� Francis said. 鈥淵ou鈥檒l start to notice that there鈥檚 an interest in something specific with a few artists at the same time.鈥�
Many of the artists are creating works for both group and solo shows held in Silo鈥檚 gallery during First Fridays, a walkable celebration of the arts in Downtown Canton every first Friday of the month. Silo artists鈥� works have also been on view at the Canton Museum of Art and Massillon Museum.
鈥淚t鈥檚 just a really exciting, inspirational job to me on the art aspect,鈥� Francis said. 鈥淏ut then on the human level, the artists here teach me a lot about being a better person, being a better friend, so I get just as much as they do out of this place.鈥�
Darick Frady, an artist of many mediums, is one of the original 鈥淥G鈥� members of the studio. He specializes in digital drawing and comic book art.
鈥淪ilo is a great place,鈥� Frady said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 different. I love it here. You can be yourself, you can do whatever you want.鈥�
