PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

We partner with Opportunity Enterprises (OE), well established in the community for serving adults with disabilities. The program provides weekly art classes at Art Barn which rotate on a quarterly basis, serving a different group of 10 adults each rotation (up to 40 adults a year). A culminating exhibition is held during developmental disabilities awareness month in March.

This weekly class will focus on enabling people with a variety of disabilities to engage with acrylic painting and drawing materials by guiding their creation of works of art adapted to each student’s specific needs and strengths. Individual projects will be completed during the 13-week class session, with subject matter determined by the student. The course is focused on the art process (rather than product) as a way of putting a spotlight on each individual’s unique interests, strengths and abilities. The instructor is expected to help guide the process, give gentle feedback/input where needed, and support each student in either completing single projects each class or working on a more involved painting that may be worked on during multiple class periods. Reference materials will be provided for students who wish to work from them (a variety of magazines, calendars, and other photo references are available in the classroom).

Upon completion, each work should be labeled on the back of the canvas with the student's first name and last initial and the title of the piece. In the final class of the session, students can decide whether works will be for sale if selected for the spring Opportunity Enterprises art show at Art Barn School of Art.