ARC of Rockland Takes Ownership of Glaze Pottery and Art Studio

From ARC of Rockland:

ARC of Rockland announces that effective July 1, 2016, the agency will be the new owner of Glaze Pottery and Art Studio, 34 Orangetown Shopping Center, Orangeburg. A popular venue for people of all abilities, the site will continue as it had under previous ownership, with professional staff offering classes, party options and individual instruction to the general public.

Located in the same shopping center as CVS, Hogan’s Diner and the Post Office it’s on Dutch Hill Rd., off Orangeburg Road. Glaze is open daily. Weekday hours are 11 am to 6 pm (Fridays until 9 pm); Saturdays10 am - 6 pm and Sundays 12 - 6 pm.

In keeping with its mission to ensure that people with developmental disabilities are integral participants in the community-at-large, Glaze will also serve as one of several ARC in Motion hubs situated in locations throughout Rockland.

“With the imminent closure of our sheltered workshop, we are helping people transition to jobs, volunteer opportunities and educational and recreational activities in the County,” said Jane Zemon, ARC of Rockland Chief Program Officer. “We hope to connect each person with his or her specific interests and skills – it is really about finding each person’s passion.”

Two sisters, Kim and Claudette Scheffold , opened and managed Glaze Pottery and Art Studio until the sale. At the business closing, Claudette added, “Everybody I told about the sale of the business to ARC of Rockland is excited about this. We have always said the nicest part of the business is working with community groups.”

“When we first met at Glaze with representative from the State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD), regarding the business venture, we immediately sensed their enthusiasm,” added Ms. Zemon. “Working collaboratively with OPWDD, we were determined to continue Glaze’s pottery and art business while enriching community engagement for the people we support.”

Beginning July 5, men and women who enjoy art and art-related projects will participate in classes or individual pottery work at designated times during the week. Additionally, members of the Glaze ARC in Motion group will spend a short time at the studio each morning before heading out to community activities, events or volunteer commitments. “While participants share a common interest in the arts, that is only one aspect of ARC in Motion. Some days the group—or several members of the group—may eat lunch at a local restaurant, visit the town library, exercise at an area gym or take in a movie. Not everyone will be involved in every activity,” explains Ms. Zemon. “The point is that people with disabilities are people with personal goals, plans, dreams and capabilities, and no two people are alike.”

“We are pleased to be at the forefront of a move towards true inclusion,” says ARC CEO Carmine Marchionda. “We now own and operate Strawtown Jewelry in New City, NY where we employee people with and without disabilities. Our ARC in Motion site in Suffern, NY, is home base for an energetic group of seniors who have received a warm welcome from friends and neighbors in that town. One of our ARC in Motion groups volunteer with animal shelters and rescue centers, another group has an interest in physical fitness. Increasingly, we are becoming true to our title—ARC of Rockland is most definitely ARC in Motion.”

For more information on Glaze, call 845.359.9020 or see www.glazeartstudio.com. To learn more aboutARC in Motion, call 845.267.2500.

Image via ARC of Rockland