“Sights & Sounds” Debuts at The Arc of Union County

Springfield, NJ (August 2, 2016) – With the opening of a music studio and art room for adults with developmental disabilities, The Arc has officially launched its arts initiative, named “Sights & Sounds.” The mission of Sights & Sounds is to empower and support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities with opportunities for personal expression, creative outlet and growth. The program is furthermore intended to enrich cultural understanding, integration, and acceptance through the arts. Sights & Sounds will primarily target adults served through The Arc’s Day Habilitation Programs in Springfield and children who attend The Arc Kohler School in Mountainside.

The Arc received funding from The Hyde and Watson Foundation, as well as Provident Bank, to jumpstart the art room. This space will offer a visual and digital art program. Individuals who have never picked up a pencil to sketch or edited a digital image will have the opportunity to do so now. Art instructor, Andrea Lorincz, has designed and begun to implement the art program which also includes art history, drawing, ceramic, digital art, art appreciation and arts and crafts. Lorincz said the art program at The Arc of Union County will help individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities progress and enhance their physical, mental and emotional well-being in the creative process of art making. The art will be restorative and healing, encouraging self-expression through painting, drawing, or modeling.

“At The Arc of Union County our ‘artists’ are creating together,” Lorincz said. “They explore and use art-making conventions, applying knowledge of elements and principles of art through the use of different materials and learn about different processes that they may need to create their art work.”

In addition, music therapist Ellen de Havilland, MT-BC, has designed a music therapy program that provides a fun, safe, success-oriented and creative platform for individuals to express themselves while developing communication and social skills. de Havilland uses music to assess, address and evaluate progress toward individualized goals. Music therapy activities and interventions are based on the individuals needs and use music composition, singing, moving with music, and playing and listening to music. Every day, she shares her joy of “musicking” (the process of making music).

“The students at The Arc Kohler School and in our adult day programs now have a safe place to express themselves in their own way, without judgment,” she said. “They can now celebrate their unique talents that are often overlooked.”

Executive Director of The Arc of Union County, Frank Caragher, said a Committee has been formed to also provide direction toward finding partnerships, resources and volunteers who will assist in shaping the effort.

“The Committee will ensure that individuals and families serviced by The Arc of Union County have equal and appropriate access to the arts and the arts community,” Caragher said.

About the Arc of Union County

With more than six decades of service, The Arc has grown into Union County, New Jersey’s, largest provider of on- and off-site educational, recreational and support services to children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. A registered 501c3 non-profit, the organization serves more than 1,000 children and adults annually through a continuum of comprehensive programs geared to assist clients and their families throughout all stages of their lives. For more information, visit www.arcunion.org, or call 973-315-0000.