Art Barn is thrilled to partner with Opportunity Enterprises (OE), well established in the community for providing programs that serve adults with disabilities. The specialized art education program brings OE clients to Art Barn’s bucolic campus in Jackson Township in Porter County for weekly art education programs year-round.
OE offers four different educational curriculum-based programs for small groups with a variety of educational modules including art, music, technology, cooking, science, reading, exercise, and opportunities to be social with friends. Art Barn provides art instruction for one of these modules. The 13-week course at Art Barn includes individual projects focused on the process (rather than product) as a way of putting a spotlight on each student’s unique strengths and abilities. The program allows participants to express their creativity in a social environment by providing visual and sensory stimulation, and improving functional skills. The culminating exhibit provides a forum for students to take pride in their work and have their incredible abilities recognized.
Opportunity Enterprises students at the Art Barn.
“Our partnership with Art Barn allowed us to offer three cohorts of classes to our clients. Some of our clients have participated in all three because they enjoy it so much,” states LaShanta Downs, OE’s Thrive director who also oversees the organization’s partnership with Art Barn. “Art means so much to so many people, and for our clients to express themselves through art is just another way OE is living our mission of creating inclusive and equitable opportunities for people of all abilities. Our hope is to continue and grow this partnership.”
The 5-week exhibition from March 2 through April 5 will celebrate OE student accomplishments and show how they have used materials in the projects to express their own individual perspectives. A public reception will be held Friday, March 8 from 5:00 to 7:00pm. The event is free to attend with food, refreshments, and a cash bar. All artwork purchases from this exhibit primarily benefit the artists with a portion of the proceeds going back to support the program.
Art Barn executive director Amy Davis Navardauskas states, “A special aspect of this partnership is the focus is on artistic process rather than producing a realistic or salable product. Students receive specialized instruction with accommodations, but they have complete autonomy when it comes to subject matter, what colors to use and the time needed to complete a project. As artists, students title the works and decide whether to sell and at what price point.”
Art Barn is pleased to have the generous continued support of the Porter County Community Foundation and Pat Crise. Educational program support is provided by the Indiana Arts Commission, South Shore Arts and in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts. OE also receives support for this partnership from Target.
Art Barn School of Art, housed in a century-old renovated barn, is dedicated to fostering the love of art for artists of all ages and abilities. Art Barn has a 50-year history and offers a full range of art education classes for children and adults as well as art exhibitions and cultural programs year-round. This Spring Art Barn walls fill floor to ceiling with over 90 works during the annual Juried Art Exhibition. This spring marks the 30th year of this event which attracts artists from all around the region. In September Art Barn hosts its annual outdoor Art Blitz festival which engages visitors with art exhibitions, interactive art-making, demonstrations and fun for the whole family.
ABOUT OPPORTUNITY ENTERPRISES INC.
For more than 55 years, Opportunity Enterprises has worked to create inclusive and equitable opportunities for people of all abilities. OE is in the business of amazing people, serving nearly 1,500 people annually with disabilities in Northwest Indiana with over 390 staff and hundreds of volunteers. To learn more, schedule a tour, or volunteer – visit oppent.org.