Teens at Oregon City's Parrott Creek Ranch tell stories with their ...

A dozen teenage boys at Oregon City's Parrott Creek Ranch have learned to tell a story in illustrated form, and for many, it was a profound experience.

Self-published graphic art illustrator Reid Psaltis, 28, was hired to teach the boys the process of using pen and ink to tell a story.

"I was intrigued by this opportunity," Psaltis said. "I'm enjoying the challenge. I've been pleasantly surprised just how receptive they've been."

Clackamas County Commissioner Jamie Damon joined a recent celebration of the teens' completed works. "I always tell them that I'm one of their biggest fans," she said.

The Clackamas County Arts Alliance extended its Youth Arts for Change program to provide the opportunity. Parrott Creek Ranch is a nonprofit "dedicated to giving troubled teens the tools, skills, and emotional support they need to change and make better choices," according to its website.

Damon visited the facility last year and said it needed support for creative activities and a resource for art supplies. Knowing the alliance's previous success with youth offenders in the Clackamas County Juvenile Department, she brought the ranch's needs to the attention of alliance executive director Cheryl Snow.

Snow and the alliance's program manager, Elizabeth Klein, contracted with Sascha Gordon-Manning, founder and director of Oregon City's Fine Art Starts, for an artist's services. Gordon-Manning chose Psaltis.

In their own words

At the July 6 celebration after the 10-week class, some of the participants spoke to program organizers and supporters.

David, 15, who's been in the program for eight months, illustrated a story about "a big fight between angels and demons." He added: " It's something that I made sketches of before, so this class gave me the tools to make it better. It was really fun. I learned a lot."

Tim, 16, was intent on doing something that wasn't overly fantastic: "It's about everyday teen life. They come out of a mini-store and go to a carnival, then they get tickets and go to a concert -- Falling in Reverse. People overlook all the normal everyday things too much."

Joel, 18, drew a love story. "I wanted to do something out of the ordinary (from the other participants)," he said. "Something to brighten things up."

Joel has been in the Parrott Creek program for seven months, and he is taking full advantage of it: "This experience was cool. Reid took us through the steps of writing it, graphing it, drawing it out, and then putting it together, making it look good. It has given me the opportunity to do more things, like this class, plus more social things, and to be able to learn skills to cope with life and being on my own."

Daniel, 14, told the group that the graphic arts class taught him "to be patient and how to use an ink pen." He entered the program late, but "Reid told me I'm advanced."

Daniel's drawings told about a kid who finds a gun. "I wanted to teach a lesson not to touch things that he finds. Instead, call the police," he said.

Of the program, Daniel added, grinning: "This is the best option for me. Better than any other choice. I will be able to go show the judges I can be successful."

Symbolism important

Klein said that 72 percent of Clackamas County businesses report that creative thinking is necessary in their workforce.

The practical application of preparing the participants for the local workforce is one reason for the arts class. But for Parrott Creek's clinical supervisor of residential programs, Greg Newman, the decision to teach the teens how to write graphic stories was more immediate.

Newman said, "Music videos have brought a strong visual imagery that has increased modern youth's perspective on symbolism, and with graphic art stories, there's a strong visual representation. Our kids are disenfranchised, so symbolism takes on even more meaning for them."

He added: "For these kids, life is a blur. This medium makes them slow down and box things, which helps them to clarify their lives."

And for participant Marcus, 16, the class did just that. "I've got a lot of thoughts going through my head all the time," he said. "And I already think in weird story lines, plots, so getting that stuff down on paper really helped me."

Marcus' story was about a traveling samurai who tries to avenge the death of his sister, so "he scours the earth, trying to find her."

At the celebration, Neil Davies, who's in his 19th year with Parrott Creek and is director of residential programs, got a round of applause when he said, "Reid has been an amazing teacher."

Another enthusiastic participant, Cody, 18, agreed.

"I had a lot of fun and I hope we can do it again."

Source: http://www.oregonlive.com/clackamascounty/index.ssf/2012/07/teens_at_oregon_citys_parrott.html

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