Transitions-Mental Health Association (TMHA) has launched a new enterprise, the Growing Grounds Gallery and Gifts, which is run in the same spirit as the association’s Growing Grounds Farm. The art gallery and gift store is run entirely by TMHA client/employees, and the artwork displayed and sold is made by members of Recovery Learning Communities, with a portion of profits going back to the artists.
Growing Grounds Gallery and Gifts, like the farm, provides traditional employment opportunities to a small number of staff members who receive the opportunity to develop retail experience and make an income. The employees gain valuable vocational and social skills working at the gallery and gift store, which sells handcrafted jewelry, soaps, bath salts, books, and fine art.
Growing Grounds Gallery and Gifts is located at 225 E. Inger Drive, Suite 101B, Santa Maria. The gallery is open Wednesday through Friday from 2 to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from noon to 5:30 p.m. More information is available at 623-5027 or t-mha.org.
This article appears in Nov 26 – Dec 3, 2014.