Adaptive art now on display

By Janet Kanters Times Editor

Artmaking can be one of the most meaningful activities in which a person with (and without) disabilities can be independently engaged.
No one knows that better than the Wheatland Society of Arts (WSA), which runs an adaptive arts program in its studio each Friday.
WSA is currently running the Adaptive Art Gallery Exhibit in the Studio, with a reception on Thursday, March 14 from 7-9 p.m. The exhibit itself goes to March 18.
The WSA’s adaptive art program is run in partnership with Advocacy in Motion (AIM), and features projects specially designed to work on dexterity and focus while encouraging creative thinking and promoting self-esteem.
“In the gallery show, we have some of their paintings, prints and ink artworks on display,” said WSA’s Kari Carriere. “Vivian McCallum has been the driving force behind this program, and she continues to be passionate and a role model for designing this program. Jenn Mamer is our other passionate instructor and we have Megan Fachini who plans and teaches her classes from her wheelchair.”
The adaptive art program goes every Friday and is designed for adults with disabilities. Every Friday, these adults with varying disabilities are able to come into the studio and create different art projects using different art mediums.
“I believe that this program is absolutely essential to our community,” noted Carriere. “This is an opportunity for everyone to be able to create art and be social in a creative atmosphere.
“We all respond to the arts and the Wheatland Society of Arts believes that art should be available to everyone. We want to provide everyone with the opportunity to grow, build self-confidence and be a part of a group of like-minded individuals.”