Capable Arts Program | 7/21/2003, back

PRESS RELEASE

From: Janet Ketcham, Executive Director
Re: Capable Arts Program

Thirty Six children who receive physical, speech, occupational or educational therapy at the McMains Childrens Developmental Center, as well as other children in the community with cerebral palsy, or other developmental or learning disabilities, had a great time last week as they participated in the Centers third Capable Arts Program. With the help of Center therapists and social workers who helped the professional artists adapt activities, the children were able to express themselves creatively through painting, pottery, dance, and storytelling. Capable Arts had a Native American theme this year, and the children made teepees, dream catchers, corn husk dolls and more as they listened to Native Amercian stories and music. The goals of the Capable Arts Program are: to expose children to various art forms, to give children with special needs the opportunity to participate in the different forms of art, whether they can walk, hold a pencil, or speak, and to let children know that what they create has the same value as a painting done by any other typical child.

This was a true community event in that twelve Volunteers from Volunteer Baton Rouge as well as a dozen or more people from the community including volunteers from Cingular came together both before and during the week of Capable Arts. The program was funded in part by a grant from the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge and Downtown Kiwanis as well as in-kind donations from Co-Op Bookstore and Southern Pottery. The professional artists were Lori Alexander, Janine Kharey, and Becky Coxe. Next year Capable Arts promises to be even bigger and better because it will be a project adopted by the Junior League of Baton Rouge!

The McMains Childrens Developmental Center is a United Way agency and an affiliate of United Cerebral Palsy. The mission of the Center is to identify and treat children with cerebral palsy, developmental delays, and learning disabilities to enable them to reach their potential and to function as independently as possible.