Impact

Our program is designed through each person's learning style and ability. Our artist provides encouragement and a wide variety of choices to the participants.
There are people who have blossomed through the making of art.

Nancy D. demonstrated very limited verbal communication. Today she maintains conversations about her painting and is absorbed in her art work.

David D. has very weak muscles and finds it difficult to do the traditional work the facility offers. Through this program it has been discovered that he is a fine illustrator. His drawings have been the basis for installations, books, posters, greeting cards, and the studio's logo. It has given him positive recognition and self-esteem.

Ed P. was considered to have very limited abilities. During an art project he was asked to draw on a ceramic tile and wrote, "To who I am writing there is a strength between our heart." The staff has a new appreciation of this man's ability.

Our audience has the opportunity to see what is possible from people with developmental disabilities. An Ohio University student was asked to write a response paper for the installation of A Story of Flying. He described that when he was a young boy he would beat up a neighborhood child with Down Syndrome. He didn't consider this child to be human or have feelings like other people. After witnessing the show, he felt very guilty and realized he had been terrible wrong. Many people who have seen the show cry when describing their experiences.