Weekly Art Classes Culminate in Exhibition
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 for weekly art classes.
OE offers five different educational curriculum-based programs for small groups of 4-10 people 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 curriculum provides an engaging outlet for expression, allowing students to fully participate with a variety of materials and in the artistic process by adapting the materials to each student’s specific needs. The course includes individual and group projects and is focused on the art process (rather than product) as a way of putting a spotlight on each individual’s unique strengths and abilities. The program allows participants to express their creativity by providing visual and sensory stimulation, improving functional skills, and instilling pride.
“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 Jodi Barnard, supported living director for Opportunity Enterprises. “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 maximizing self-sufficiency and enriching the lives of individuals with disabilities. Our hope is to continue and grow this partnership,” Barnard states further.
The culmination of this program is an exhibition of work featuring 52 paintings by 17 different students during the month of March, which is Developmental Disability Awareness Month. The 5-week exhibition from February 18 through March 25 celebrates OE student accomplishments and shows how they have used art materials to express their own individual perspectives. A public reception was held March 11 from 6:00 to 8:00pm. The exhibition is generously sponsored by Porter County Community Foundation and Pat Crise. The educational program is supported in part by South Shore Arts, and the Indiana Arts Commission, which receives support from the State of Indiana and the National Endowment for the Arts, in addition to Corporate supporters: Urschel Giving, M.E. Simpson Co., Stan’s Painting & Decorating Inc., Teachers Credit Union, Centier Bank, 1st Source Bank, Ozinga Materials, and Logistics and Steel Cities Steels..
Art Barn executive director Amy Davis Navardauskas states, “The goal of this partnership is to provide those who struggle with conventional communication a way to overcome physical limitations and achieve expression and connection. This program provides OE participants basic skills and methods to express themselves through art. Students can take pride in their work and have their abilities recognized by others. I am proud of this collaboration and our teams who work so hard to make it a reality.”
Photo: Rufino V. pictured with "Buzz Lightyear of Star Command", one of his four exhibited works (other pictured works are by different artists). Image taken by Art Barn staff
ABOUT:
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. Art Barn walls will fill floor to ceiling with 90 works during the annual Juried Art Exhibition which is on view from April 2 through May 19, 2022. September 17 and 18 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. For more information visit www.artbarnschool.org.
For more than 50 years, Opportunity Enterprises works to maximize self-sufficiency and enrich the quality of life for individuals with disabilities. OE is in the business of amazing people serving nearly 1,500 people annually with disabilities in Northwest Indiana with over 350 staff and hundreds of volunteers. To learn more, schedule a tour, or volunteer – visit www.oppent.org.