For anyone who doesn't know, NIAD (National Institute of Art and Disabilities) is a visual arts center designed to assist adults with developmental and other disabilities. The center is set up like a giant studio, providing lessons, materials, and space for painting, drawing, ceramics, textiles, printmaking, jewelry, and sculpture. There is an onsite gallery as well as offsite exhibitions that give the artists opportunities to display and sell their work. By showing their work, the artists gain a sense of pride and self esteem that they may not be getting else where, while simultaneously earning money. Not a bad deal.
So far, I have just been getting to know everyone at NIAD, and really loving this process. There is such a wide range of artistic styles and amazing personalities, I am continually blown away and inspired by every person I talk to or observe. Some people are very independent while others benefit from more assistance. I have been helping wherever I feel I am useful. Sometimes this just means finding materials and helping to get people excited about creating something or giving some personal feedback on art in progress. Other times, it means sitting down with one individual and physically assisting them with an aspect of their work. NIAD has a pretty tight budget, so I'm looking around for materials that they have but don't use a lot of and brainstorming some projects that can utilize these. After winter break, I'm planning on starting something, possibly collaborative, that anyone can participate in on the days I am there. I'll keep you all posted....
I feel like I can go on for a while now that I've started, but I think that's going to be all for now. I do have to say, I encourage anyone who has not been to NIAD to stop by and check it out sometime. I can guarantee you will leave happier.
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