“We’re three women who are passionate about the arts.” That’s how Pam Cochrane describes herself, Bess Haire, and Melissa Yahia, the co-founders of For Art’s Sake, a new Harvard organization devoted to supporting art in the schools and in the community.

Cochrane explains that For Art’s Sake came to be last spring during the teachers’ strike, when work-to-rule prevented teachers from offering any “extras,” particularly in the arts. Recognizing the need for parents to pitch in and offer their support, Cochrane, Yahia, and Haire—who all have children in the Harvard schools—came together to help organize the student art show. The success of this venture led them to appreciate just how much support was needed from the community for art-related programs. But, Cochrane explains, it also highlighted “the immense amount of talent in the community ready to be nurtured.” And so For Art’s Sake was born.

The organization’s co-founders are no strangers to the arts. Cochrane is the owner and director of the Clark Gallery in Lincoln, a contemporary gallery that showcases the art of emerging and established New England artists. Cochrane has also served as the chairwoman of the Board of Overseers of the DeCordova Museum and is a member of the Boston Art Dealers Association and ArtTable. Haire brings to the table an extensive background in education and drama, and she has taught and volunteered in the community and surrounding schools for the past fifteen years. Haire also wrote and produced the sixth-grade play back in 2001, Circus Celebration. Yahia, a former advertising executive, is now a life coach and an artist herself, enjoying painting and portrait drawing.

Cochrane, Haire, and Yahia have big plans for For Art’s Sake and are excited about the many opportunities they see to support and celebrate art programs in the Harvard schools. Recently, For Art’s Sake sponsored a field trip where Bromfield students visited the home and studio of Harvard resident Linda Hoffman. On their trip, students learned more about the work of Hoffman, who is a well-known sculptor in wood, bronze, and stone. But even more importantly, says Cochrane, “the kids got to see how she integrates her art into her life.”

For Art’s Sake also sponsors art-making events in the schools. This fall, for example, the organization is running a series of free costume-making workshops for elementary-age students. Armed with glue guns and tape measures, adult volunteers and Bromfield art students will help young artists brainstorm ideas for one-of-a-kind costumes, from designing to fitting and decorating.

Cochrane explains that the overwhelming enthusiasm and support they received from local residents led the founders to consider whether For Art’s Sake needed to offer community outreach beyond the schools. “We came across so many artistic community members who are doing amazing projects, and we realized that we needed a way to showcase all of these talented people.” Cochrane adds, “We realized that if For Art’s Sake is going to be community-based, then it should be about the community.”

This commitment to showcasing the work of local artists is what has led Cochrane, Haire, and Yahia to propose their latest venture, an art show entitled, “Made in Harvard: Calling All Artists” and scheduled for mid-November through mid-December. All Harvard residents are invited to submit their work for consideration, and entries are welcome in all media, including painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, wood, glass, and fiber.

Cochrane, Haire, and Yahia are excited that they have received approval “in principle” from the Board of Selectmen to use rooms in the old public library building as their exhibition space, and their plan is to have the exhibition open for viewing three days a week, in the afternoon and early evening hours, in order to maximize the number of people who will be able to see it.

For Art’s Sake is also looking beyond exhibitions in its drive to showcase local talent. Haire is spearheading a project to create an artists’ directory, in order to identify the wealth of artists in town and to promote and connect artists within the community.

Cochrane emphasizes that For Art’s Sake is not an isolated organization; rather, she says, its goal is to collaborate with existing groups, such as the school, the library, and continuing education programs. Their ultimate goal, she says, is to celebrate, create awareness, and provide advocacy for the important contribution that art plays in children’s lives and in the community.

For more information about volunteering for For Arts Sake, or for more information about the Halloween workshops and the upcoming art show, contact Pam Cochrane at pamela@clarkgallery.com, Bess Haire at besshaire@charter.net, or Melissa Yahia at yahia@charter.net.