Anna Blea was an "idealistic, crazy dreamer" when she graduated from Santa Fe High School in 1987. She wanted to change the world, she said, and thought the best way would be through art.

But she put art on hold and went into social work.

After graduating from the College of Santa Fe, she started working as a case manager for Visions Case Management and later started her own business, Supportive Case Management, but the career choice never felt entirely right, she said.

"It wasn't my calling," Blea said. "I wanted to affect lives differently."

One morning three years ago, she hit upon the idea of combining art and social work — an arts program for developmentally disabled individuals. She looked into an organization based in San Francisco called Creativity Explored, which is a visual-arts program for people with developmental disabilities.

She wanted to take that idea and expand it to include performance art as well. The mix has worked well for Blea, who calls her program People Having Alternative Magical Experiences, or PHAME.

"I knew that I wanted to have all the components of all fine arts — dance, movement, visual arts and writing," Blea said.

Then came the commitment. She scoped out places where she could set up camp for her arts program and found a place near the Santa Fe Outlet Mall. She sold her beloved 1974 Super Beetle to put down first and last month's rent on the place and cleaned out her savings account to make PHAME a nonprofit and invest in art supplies.

Soon, people started signing up and coming for their daily dose of art and other activities. The six-hour programs are offered Monday through Friday.

"Art is a method and a vehicle for ... them to express themselves in a positive, nonviolent and uncensored way," Blea said.

The name was inspired by Blea's favorite TV show.

"I'm a product of the '80s," Blea said with a laugh. "My favorite show was Fame and it was based on a school for the arts and that's what I consider this. It's not a rehab center, but a school for the arts."

One of the best things that PHAME has done for Blea, she said, is it's allowed her to become an artist again. Hanging in her office in the PHAME suite off of Cerrillos Road are two beautiful oil paintings that she created.

"I was blocked because I thought I had to contribute in life a different way," Blea explained. "I always did doodles and stuff, but when I opened up PHAME, that's when I acknowledged I was an artist."

Not just art

PHAME isn't just about performing and visual art, Blea said. There is no typical day at PHAME, but usually participants will be able to have a karate lesson, go to the Plaza to watch the Santa Fe Bandstand or volunteer in the community.

At least a few times a week, PHAME participants volunteer at Bienvenidos Outreach and the Santa Fe County Animal Shelter & Humane Society. The participants have also made stuffed animals for the Santa Fe Rape Crisis Center and Esperanza Shelter. Blea said participants rotate activities so they are not always taken out to volunteer at the same time.

Blea said volunteering is important for both the participants and people in the community.

"It's all about educating the nondisabled community about all our gifts," Blea said.

Participants also put on an annual show at El Museo Cultural to raise money for the artists and musicians who work with them.

A great place

Camilo Flores, 22, started coming to PHAME two years ago. Blea said he's grown during his time there.

"Before he was extremely aggressive," Blea said. "Now he's making these beautiful wooden pieces and he's painting the Virgin and angels. He's patient and calm, and he doesn't explode."

Flores said he takes his time with his art.

"I paint Santa Fe style stuff like frames and furniture," Flores said as he sat in his paint-stained T-shirt during a break. "I've changed a lot since before. I started to be a better person."

He enjoys PHAME's safe environment.

"They don't make fun of you, and you just have a good time over here," Flores said. "It's fun."

Flores even has a sweetheart at PHAME — Tiffany Boetto.

"I like to paint and go to Special Olympics — me and Lino and Mari and Anna," Boetto said. She especially likes singing Selena tunes, she said.

For PHAME participant Marialicia Gonzales, 26, PHAME is one of the best places she could be. "I had a lot of friends here," Gonzales explained about why she got involved in the program six months ago. She said she's grown as a person.

"It's really good for us because all the stuff there is for us," Gonzales said. "When we're feeling so sad or upset or we're just upset, they're there for us."

Gonzales said she enjoys singing the most and she's hoping she can incorporate a song by her favorite band — Los Lonely Boys — into this year's production. She also likes volunteering at the animal shelter because she gets to play with the cats.

"And one of the things I like about PHAME is they're not only here for the money," Gonzales said. "They're here because they care for us ."

Answer the call

PHAME is looking for more local agencies to partner with and more volunteers. Bleas is also looking for donations to help pay actors and dancers who come in to help participants with the upcoming production and to purchase art supplies.

To donate or volunteer, call PHAME at 474-6520.

Blea said it's hard to describe all the benefits of volunteering at PHAME. She's found the experience invaluable.

"I can't pick one (favorite) thing," Blea said. "It's just knowing that I reach someone and they reach me. It's not a one-sided relationship. It's sweet seeing them flourish into something powerful. That is completely jaw-dropping."

Contact Ana Maria Trujillo at 986-3084 or atrujillo@sfnewmexican.com.