Founder of Interact, St. Paul arts center for people with disabilities, steps down after nearly 30 years
ST. PAUL, Minn. — A woman in her 70s, Bonnie Thorne is an artist. But she wasn't always creative.
"My kids said that I used to do a lot of paint by numbers, that sort of stuff," Thorne said. "But I have no memory of it whatsoever."
Thorne doesn't remember because of a stroke she suffered in 2007. It's also why she doesn't have a long-term memory. But it was the reason she first was introduced to Interact, a visual and performing arts center for people with disabilities located in St. Paul.
"I will keep coming here until I'm in my 90s," she said. "As long as my health holds out."
Jeanne Calvit founded the organization in 1996. From its inception, she knew there was a deep impact.
"People that were very timid and could barely speak up or they would just sit, suddenly, like after doing a performance, they would be very animated and they'd speak up," Calvit said. "I just saw these huge changes in people. Their parents or caregivers would say they're like a different person."
RELATED: Highland Popcorn to open in St. Paul, employing people with disabilities
Calvit saw that change in Doree Bogrow.
"When I was a little girl, I was just the shyest little thing," Bogrow said. "I would barely even speak to anyone."
Bogrow has been involved with Interact performances for 17 years and has played a variety of characters. Between solos and speaking roles, shy isn't on the list of Bogrow's characteristics anymore.
"I'm very glad to be here," she said. "And Interact has helped me in a lot of ways."
Beyond confidence, Interact also brings community.
"We're all just a big, happy family I would say," Interact performing artist Jeffrey Haas said.
It's a family Haas loves being a part of and a place he feels welcome.
"No matter what you come with, as far as issues or shortcomings, as far as disabilities are concerned, you're just really embraced," he said.
After embracing artists who walk through Interact's doors for nearly 30 years, Calvit is stepping down from her role as executive and creative director.
"I wouldn't even use the word retiring," Calvit said. "I feel like it means you're just gonna put your feet up and do nothing. They should come up with a new word for it."
Calvit is leaving behind her legacy in the hands of a man ready to carry it. Joseph Price was hired on as the new executive director and will take over after Calvit retired on Valentine's Day.
RELATED: Traveling exhibit shows challenges faced by those with developmental disabilities — and progress made
"This is an incredible organization," Price said.
Price is the father to a child with disabilities and said the center's mission "hit him right in the face."
"We provide a space where our artists can really pursue their dreams," Price said. "It's a place where they belong. They feel that, they know that. We want to make sure that they feel that everywhere that they go. And we think through pursuing their art and sharing that with the community, that people will get that and they'll find a deeper sense of belonging."
It's a belonging that artists have found at Interact — in more ways than one.
Thorne has come a long way since walking into Interact 12 years ago. Since then, she's gained independence and moved out of a group home. She's sold some of her artwork and even hosted exhibitions of her creations.
"After my stroke, I also suffered from manic depression and high anxiety," Thorne said. "And this place really kept me going. I had even tried to commit suicide a couple times. And when I started here, it was like my whole being was changing because I was enjoying this so much."
As Calvit wraps up her career with Interact, she promises to return and keep in touch with artists, who she's going to miss the most. In retirement, she wants to help other parts of the world to develop organizations with similar missions. She's been instrumental in establishing places in Chiang Mai, Thailand and Adelaide, Australia already. She also hopes to write a book about the thousands of artists she's worked with.
Interact sells visual artists' work at their St. Paul gallery and online. Artists receive 50% of the sale, which is industry standard in the art world. The other 50% goes toward supplies and Interact programming.
