Cultivating the Creative Side of Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

CULTIVATING THE CREATIVE SIDE OF ADULTS WITHINTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

By Jennifer Beidle

There is no question that art can evoke a variety of feelings and emotions, both in the artist and in their audience. But for an adult with an intellectual or developmental disability (I/DD), learning how to make a brush stroke, mix paints, focus a camera and see the world through the eye of an artist can have a profound effect on their emotional, cognitive and social development.

Willows Way, a non-profit organization based in St. Charles, MO, promotes independence and personal growth in adults with I/DD through a variety of social-service programs, which include its Mentor Arts program.

"The Mentor Arts program, which includes a painting class and photography club, benefit our clients in a variety of ways," attests Willows Way Executive Director Joy Steele. "We often see our clients become more relaxed, confident and focused while participating in these programs. Plus, it gives them a sense of purpose and accomplishment when they see that they can create something through their own efforts from start to finish.”

For the past five years, Willows Way has held its Art of Wine fundraising event to showcase original paintings and photographs created by clients in their Mentor Arts program. For the third consecutive year, the event will again be held at EdgeWild Restaurant & Winery in Chesterfield, MO where event attendees are treated to appetizers and wine and can purchase original artwork by Willows Way’s clients. The artists receive 100% of the proceeds from the sale of the art.

Willows Way started the Mentor Arts program five years ago. Participants in the painting class learn from an experienced art teacher how to select subject matter, mix paints and use different brush strokes to create their artwork.

Participants in the photography club meet regularly and participate in monthly photo shoot outings throughout the St. Charles and St. Louis areas. In the past, the photography club has visited the Anheuser-Busch Brewery, The Butterfly House, Soulard Market, Saint Louis Zoo, National Museum of Transportation, Main Street in St. Charles and a firehouse. Professional photographers volunteer their time to mentor the clients and chaperone their photo shoots.

Kathy Curry has been a volunteer mentor in Willows Way’s photography club for the past five years. Club mentors teach participants how to focus on a subject, the proper way to hold a camera and how to take a photo from different angles. Curry finds that clients really like going out on their monthly adventures. “They get very excited when we spend time getting together to let them pick out their best and most cherished photos for the Art of Wine event. It is great to hear them remember where and why each photo was taken.”

Lori Biehl, another mentor in the photography club, describes photography club members as one big happy family, and delights in the personal progress the clients make through the program. Biehl finds that “their social interaction, not only with the mentors but with others seems to always be improving. The members are a happy group of people and sometimes help remind us that we can find joy in the smallest of things,”

23 ALLTHEARTSTL.COM WINTER 2018/19 COMMENTARY