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| November 19, 1997 |
Ballard News-Tribune
Ballard, WA |
November 19, 1997
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On the surface, the art class that met at Tuesday’s at the Sev Shoon Art Center" offered a unique opportunity to those with disabilities, mostly cerebral palsy, to express themselves, learn about and create art.
But it is also provided artists, disabled and able bodied the chance to learn about each other, both as artists and people.
The class, which had its last session Tuesday, paired able bodied artists with disabled artists. The pair worked on pieces together.
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"Gary Miller works with an assistant" photograph Sev Shoon Gallery November 1997 |
“It was more than just creating art,” class instructor Kim Newell said. “They learned about each other, and learned about the other’s art- Making ability. It’s somewhat of a revolutionary class.”
The artists were hand-picked but most had never had the opportunity to work with each other.
“Everyone in the class would identify themselves as an artist,” Newall said. “Everyone has the capacity to make their own art, but they don’t get to meet other people or artists like themselves. When something like this one comes along, they take advantage.”
The pairs, often with the aid of an assistant worked on projects like doing self portraits and portraits of their partners. They did some writing, and whole class worked on a pair of murals taking advantage of Sev Shoon’s focus, the class also worked on printmaking.
Newall was member of Artists Unlimited, which merged to become a chapter of Very Special Arts Unlimited, a non-profit organization, has been doing programs for 15 years.
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"(l-r) Fatoh Merenah, Harriet Hale [late], and Hale's partner Mary Taylor work on a mural" photograph Seve Shoon Studio November 1997 |
Newall is currently looking for funding to continue the program in other parts of the Seattle area. “We’re hoping to get the business community involved,” Newall said.
Grants by the King County Arts Commission and The Wyman Youth Trust, along with Sev Shoon making the space available, made this class possible.
Sev Shoon owner Dionne Haroutunian thought the program was important for Ballard.
“If the community knew what was going on, I think We’d be able to keep the program going year after year,” Haroutunian said..
Artists Unlimited project, contact Very Special Art Washington can be reached at 443-1843
