HELP is proud to have received an Ohio Arts Council Grant to provide adaptive art classes to individuals served in HELP’s Adult Day Services Program in Euclid.
The Art it Yourself program included diverse lessons that encouraged individuals from HELP to make art, have fun, and learn to the best of their ability. The program offered inspiring lessons about famous artists with disabilities that persevered. Some examples shared throughout the program were Henry Matisse, a French artist confined to a bed and wheelchair after surgery and continued to make beautiful art. Desmond Blair was an African American painter who was born without hands but followed his passion for making beautiful art throughout his life. And finally, Frida Kahlo, a Mexican painter, who made fantastic art after contracting Polio and suffering from many other injuries.
Individuals made acrylic paintings on canvas (landscape,) an acrylic painting on canvas (abstract,) a piece of mixed media art created with various materials, an acrylic pour on canvas, a collage/texture technique project, and a selfie project that helped build self-esteem.
Thank you, Ohio Arts Council, for your generous grant and for recognizing the value the art brings to all people.
Thank you to Rozenia Cunningham the owner, art educator/special artist at Art it Yourself Studios for making this a memorable experience.