Art Changes Lives The expressive power of Club Rec

Liana Elguero, the VisArts Community Programs Manager, praises this successful art collaboration with Club Rec. She says, “It’s been such a good fit. There is this wonderful sense of community. We see arts as a component of health and well-being. When we arrive, the students are cheering.” She adds, “Art reduces stress and brings people together. It can also help improve motor skills if a student is doing a step-by-step project. There’s great energy and enthusiasm which is why Club Rec is one of our favorite places to teach.”

The positive energy continues to flow thanks to this collaboration. Liz explains, “This program coming to fruition is such a fulfilled dream. It is helping Club Rec members express themselves through art, while minimizing their frustration and building their confidence. They are all artists and creators with a message to share through art. I want them to proudly show their artwork and confirm that they are capable.” Creativity knows no bounds as participants learn and grow in an engaging environment. The collaboration between Club Rec and VisArts combines the strengths of each organization to create an outstanding program that provides infinite possibilities. Rhonda concludes, “At Club Rec, we show them that you can have a great life!”

Community Arts

In a typical community arts class, the instructor will demonstrate a technique and participants will then work on their own to complete the project. The VisArts teams have adapted their instruction for Club Rec by providing directions one at a time or repeating those directions multiple times.