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The Care Center

Bringing the power of education, arts and culture to youth and their families in Holyoke, MA

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Artwork

Painting and Drawing

Filling a blank canvas can be a daunting task. But it can also reveal each student’s individuality and complexity, regardless of her level of traditional “artistic ability.” Over time, students’ resistance to revealing themselves eases and they embrace the challenge of expressing their emotions, personalities, and perceptions through art.

Photography

Care Center students study photography at Hampshire College and with local photographers. In the process of shooting and editing photos, young mothers learn a set of “rules” and experiment with breaking them. They make choices. Should the background be sharp or soft? Should the subject be centered? How does the direction of light affect the image? In asking and answering these questions, students learn to trust their own unique perspective.

3D Art

Three-dimensional art is varied and exciting at The Care Center. Students create masks, design jewelry, fold origami, and sculpt clay. Seeing a sculpture through to completion can require weeks of planning and commitment. Whether the process is calming, exciting, or even frustrating for a student, the feeling of accomplishment is always invaluable.

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If I ever have an issue, there are, at minimum, five people I can go to discuss my problem. I am learning to read Plato and James Baldwin, and I am going to art museums and learning statistics, things I never thought I’d do.

Candice Pelletier, Bard Microcollege Holyoke graduate now completing bachelor’s degree at Smith College

Student Work

by Daishanette Carrascillo
by Mariann Alamo
House by Caroline Diaz
House by Ashley Marie Figueroa
House by Julaidy Melendez
by Bethsaida Saez
by Kristina Santana
by Samantha Nutting

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Copyright © 2025 · THE CARE CENTER · All Rights Reserved
247 Cabot Street, Holyoke, MA 01040 | Phone: (413) 532-2900 | Fax: (413) 532-1250


The Care Center is a recipient of the 2011 National Arts & Humanities Youth Program Award, the nation’s highest honor recognizing community-based arts and humanities youth programs in the United States, presented by the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities. The Care Center is also a recipient of the Mass Cultural Council’s 2019 Commonwealth Award, honoring exceptional achievement in the arts, humanities, and sciences. We are proud to receive funding from the National Endowment for the Arts.
The Care Center is a 501(c)(3) organization. Tax ID 04-2962882

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