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ARTISTS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES ARE CELEBRATED
Austin's Arc of the Arts Program Celebrates 1 Year Anniversary
Austin, Texas- Aug. 27, 2009-
This summer marks the one year
anniversary of the Arc of the Arts
Studio/Gallery, which houses one of the only programs in Central Texas to
provide art classes exclusively for people with developmental disabilities by
pairing them with volunteer artists. Designed by The Arc of the Capital Area
(The Arc), an Austin-based nonprofit well-known for providing an array of
critical services for this population, the Arc of
the Arts is making tremendous strides towards bridging the social gap
between people with and without disabilities by allowing them to connect and
communicate through art.
In just one
year, the Arc of
the Arts has provided art lessons and mentoring to more than 58 clients five
days a week, hired three staff members, recruited 10 regular volunteer artists,
hosted several exhibitions and greatly increased public awareness of The Arc
and artists with disabilities in general. The program's success is apparent as
100 percent of clients surveyed reported an improvement in interaction with
peers, an ability to communicate more effectively and demonstrated feelings of confidence
and independence.
 Melissa H. (pictured left) has
been attending Arc of the Arts
classes since the program's inception, providing her an outlet for creativity
(she is also a song writer) and for meeting new people. Her colorful
contemporary pieces are for sale in The Cool Family Gallery as a means of
fundraising for the art program, ranging in price from $40 to $2,500. "I love to
paint, and paint from the heart," says Melissa. "Showing my paintings to people and selling them for The Arc is
important."
 The Arc of the Arts program collaborates with
many leading community organizations including the Down's Syndrome Association
and Open Door pre-school.
Sustainability is accomplished through grants, individual donations and
special events, such as the upcoming 10th annual "Building Bridges" Art Celebration & Auction. "Summer All The Time," by Melissa H., above.*
The benefit takes place Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009,
at the Hilton Austin, starting with a VIP reception at 5:30pm. The event will
feature 50 percent of the artwork created by students at the Arc of the Arts Studio; the other 50 percent
of the pieces are donated by distinguished local artists including Linda Dumont, Carol Marine and Kathy Womack in support of the cause. Womack's "Women & Wine," pictured right.*
 "Some of the
most talented people in art have some sort of challenge that pushes them
harder," says Dumont. "I do not think
of these kids as having disabilities. These people probably see more of the
world than the rest of us see." DuMont's SoCo II, pictured left.*
Celebrating its
10th anniversary, the "Building Bridges" Art Celebration &
Auction has rooted itself as the art event to attend in Austin. All of
the pieces are professionally framed by John Traber of Fine Art Services of
Austin.
*These pieces will all be auctioned at the "Building Bridges" Art Celebration & Auction.
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The Arc of the Capital Area
Marketing & Events Coordinator
512.476.7044 ex 217
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About The Arc of the Capital Area
The Arc of the Capital Area is dedicated to providing personalized,
community-based services that improve the quality of life for individuals with
intellectual and developmental disabilities and their caregivers.
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2009 Board of Directors
- Deborah Green, President
- Linda Anderson, Vice President
- Kerry Ugarte, Treasurer
- Frank McCamant, Secretary
- Virgilio Altamirano
- Louis Bratton
- Janet Brunette
- Ed Clements
- William Ebs
- Steve Fenoglio
- Pat Lochrie,
- Keith Maxie
- Debbie Pearson
- JD Torian
- Gerry Tucker
- Hale Umstattd
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SAVE THE DATE
The Arc of the Capital Area will be hosting a MEDIA MORNING @ the Arc of the Arts Studio (6717 Burnet Road), Oct. 8, from 6am-9am, to celebrate the 10th anniversary of their "Building Bridges" Art Celebration & Auction. Please mark your calendar, come have breakfast with us and get a sneak peek of the many masterpieces that will be available at this annual event.
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