New Art Techniques Leads to a Diverse Art Show

After weeks of art lessons from a professional artist, a small group of members in the adult day program at the Michael Carter Lisnow Respite Center were able to display their new creations at their own art show at the Hopkinton Center for the Arts.

The adult day program at the respite center offers a wide variety of programs for adults with disabilities to learn various skills like preparing meals, creating videos and learning art techniques.

Although the respite center has a fully stocked art studio, those with a real passion for creating had never had a chance to go offsite to take classes from a professional before.

“Some students here just love art,” said Dan Cloutier a teacher in the program.  “We tried to incorporate those who have a love for art into the classes so they can expand what they do.”

Thanks to a grant Kris Waldman, executive director and vice president of the, received from the Hopkinton Cultural Council, she was able to teach art techniques to five members from the program.

“I thought it would be fun for people to leave what they normally do and come to a class to learn mono printing, painting using non-traditional materials and clay sculpture,” says Waldman.

In four weeks, students not only perfected their art skills, but learned new ones.  One member from the group, Steve Kaufman, was able to return to the respite center and share his newfound knowledge with others who were not able to be in the class with him. He taught them one of the new techniques, blowing paint through a straw.

“I liked making the clay dinosaur,” said Kaufman.

He then painted a picture of it using several techniques including blowing the paint through a straw.

Kathy Hennessey, another member of the art class, enjoyed painting to music using different paint brushes and even her hands.

“It was my favorite class,” says Hennessey.  “It was wonderful.”

The students all enjoyed their time with Waldman and couldn’t wait to go to class each week as they knew that they would learn something new and different. 

“I had a lot of fun,” said Ashley Whitney, “Kris was a good teacher and she taught me a lot about painting.

Another student, Katie Rose Chaves, painted a surreal landscape image which her parents are going to get framed at the end of the art show.

The art show included the works of all who took Waldman’s class as well as several students who had their own work to display.  The show kicked off with an opening reception with the artists in attendance.  The students enjoyed talking about what inspired them to do each piece.

“Some of the pieces came out really nice,” said Cloutier.