John began his work at Awakening Minds Art 5 years ago with goals to explore his senses, especially through the sense of touch by sculpting clay. John had other plans though, and proved himself to be a painter instead!
From initial finger painting to now participating in choosing subject matter and even taking his own photographs to paint, John has really grown! Five years ago, John would only stay for 10-20 minutes every session.
Working at his pace, his AMA instructor nurtured his growing interest in art and built a relationship with him, gradually pushing his limits. Now, John regularly focuses his attention on painting for a full hour.
From initial finger painting to now participating in choosing subject matter and even taking his own photographs to paint, John has really grown! Five years ago, John would only stay for 10-20 minutes every session.
Working at his pace, his AMA instructor nurtured his growing interest in art and built a relationship with him, gradually pushing his limits. Now, John regularly focuses his attention on painting for a full hour.
John’s journey with Awakening Minds Art has made him a stronger person.
No, John hasn’t become physically stronger because of artmaking; John continues to develop stronger life skills by developing his creative mind in a supportive environment.
No, John hasn’t become physically stronger because of artmaking; John continues to develop stronger life skills by developing his creative mind in a supportive environment.
AMA one-on-one programming, partnered with other development opportunities, has given John better communication and socialization skills.
Pride in his artwork sparks confidence & independence. Lela, John’s mother, tells us that his artwork, hung with pushpins and overlapping each other, takes up the walls of 3 bedrooms in their home! Lela says, “All in all, I think art has made him stronger in that he has become a little more independent in making some self-decisions and self-expression.”
Ms. Megan, John’s instructor, sees the impact of art programming. Making decisions in a painting is great practice for accepting changes and challenges in the real world. For “a man of few words,” as Ms. Megan called him, choosing subject matter for a painting is a great way to express interests, memories, and explore the past & present.
“John sometimes struggles to express himself emotionally, but I see his feelings expressed for those around him through his [subject] selections, attention to detail, and the repetition of subject matter,” says Ms. Megan.
Over the last five years, “[John] has really grown in his abilities, techniques, brush control, independence, willingness to be social, conversation skills, writing skills, patience, and more,” Ms. Megan remarks!
We, at Awakening Minds Art, are so privileged to know John and to be a part of his development! John helps us to realize that art can make us ALL a little stronger!
Pride in his artwork sparks confidence & independence. Lela, John’s mother, tells us that his artwork, hung with pushpins and overlapping each other, takes up the walls of 3 bedrooms in their home! Lela says, “All in all, I think art has made him stronger in that he has become a little more independent in making some self-decisions and self-expression.”
Ms. Megan, John’s instructor, sees the impact of art programming. Making decisions in a painting is great practice for accepting changes and challenges in the real world. For “a man of few words,” as Ms. Megan called him, choosing subject matter for a painting is a great way to express interests, memories, and explore the past & present.
“John sometimes struggles to express himself emotionally, but I see his feelings expressed for those around him through his [subject] selections, attention to detail, and the repetition of subject matter,” says Ms. Megan.
Over the last five years, “[John] has really grown in his abilities, techniques, brush control, independence, willingness to be social, conversation skills, writing skills, patience, and more,” Ms. Megan remarks!
We, at Awakening Minds Art, are so privileged to know John and to be a part of his development! John helps us to realize that art can make us ALL a little stronger!
