Macon Magazine

72 maconmagazine.com | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2022 The BGCCG has been a sustained institution since 1938, when it was first established as the Macon Police Cadets. The mission of the organization is to strive to enable all young people to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. "We're dedicated to providing a safe, positive place and having a significant impact on their lives," Beckham stated. "We do this by instilling the values of academic success in our youth. Encouraging our youth to become actively engaged in their community and highlighting the importance of making healthy life choices is what we're about." While leading the series of art classes, Lewis also intertwines the message of how the youth can cultivate a sense of discipline, tenacity, and patience through artmaking. "The children are subconsciously understanding how making art allows us to tap into our ingenuity and problem-solving skills," Beckham said. "It refines our abilities to discern and perceive." The Art from the Heart program also provides an opportunity for the youth to visit different art galleries across the city and get a chance to become featured artists in a gallery. "These youth will get a firsthand account of how huge an impact art has in our communities and contributes to community development and revitalization," according to Beckham. The Central Georgia community has responded in kind. "We have had tremendous support from the local art community and a few community foundations," Beckham continued. "We even have a few community influencers who are using the power of their social media to encourage others to donate and support the cause." The community at large is then able to see that they are making a direct impact on a new generation of artists and artisans. Lewis works well with the youth, said Beckham, adding that Lewis is gifted at helping children to understand their full potential. During the classes, Lewis doesn't just focus on the basics of art, but also offers critical thinking opportunities, communication skills, decision-making capabilities, creative thinking experience, interpersonal relationship skills, and self-awareness-building skills that translate back into the everyday lives of the young people. "They will build off basic skills such as shading techniques to create complete works of art," Beckham said. The young BGCCG artists with whom Lewis has worked throughout the fall season will see their creative works exhibited at "THESE YOUTH WILL GET A FIRSTHAND ACCOUNT OF HOW HUGE AN IMPACT ART HAS IN OUR COMMUNITIES AND CONTRIBUTES TO COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND REVITALIZATION." — DEMARCUS BECKHAM

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