Art for People with Special Abilities

It is my belief that everyone, of all ages and abilities, has the right to freedom of creative expression through the arts. Adults with disabilities in the South Okanagan up until now have had very little opportunity to express their individual creativity through community based arts programs.

A pilot program called “Art for People with Special Abilities” was held in August of 2017 involving adults from the Oliver Day program (part of the South Okanagan Association for Integrated Community Living; SOAICL). Three volunteer instructors and 9 adults and 5 staff members participated in the 3 hour morning program. The response to this trial program was overwhelmingly positive. Please see attached photos for some visual images from that day.

A proposal for monthly meetings and support for the program was presented to the Oliver Arts Council Board of Directors in September of 2017. The board approved a motion to sponsor and financially support the pilot program.

We are now seeking volunteer instructors for our scheduled Oct. 26, Nov. 16 and Dec. 14 2017 morning sessions at the Quail’s nest Studio space. Funds are available to pay for basic supplies and to pay instructors an hourly wage. For further information please contact J. Bednarczyk at: bedn9783@telus.net

This pilot program is FREE and open to anyone living in the South Okanagan who has mental or physical disabilities. The space is wheelchair accessible. Feel free to drop in and check us out. No pre-registration is required.

Janet Bednarczyk

 

Please note that all participants shown in these photographs have given written permission for use of these photographs to be shared.