Weaving Away....

Warping the rigid heddle loom. 

Christie weaving on the rigid heddle loom.

Here at Hope Center for the Arts we have many talented artists.  Christie and Ana are two of our prolific weavers.  After receiving a grant from The Orange County Community Foundation Hope was able to purchase several rigid heddle looms for the students to weave on.  Many of our students have been able to use the looms to create beautiful scarves for us to sell, both on our Etsy shop and at local art fairs.  Having new tools to expand the students choices and opportunities to create is invaluable to our program. We have even discovered exceptional weaving talent and ability that would never have been realized without them.  Thank you Orange County Community Foundation and Schacht Spindle Company for making the looms possible and providing new opportunities for self expression and accomplishment. 

A Featured Artist...

"Lacher Love"

"The Land of Dreams"

"Through the Sand"

Amy is very proud of her artwork.

Amy Lacher is Hope Center's new featured artist.  She loves color and works mostly in colored pencil.  She also colors with her words as can be seen here in one of her recent poems 'Through the Sand'.  Amy's personality is as colorful and cheerful as her art work!
Here is what some of her fellow artists have to say about her art:
"I like the way she drew the water in her piece "The Land of Dreams". Joe V.
"I like her use of pink and purple in 'Lacher Love' ". Michelle E.
"I like the negative space at the edges of 'Lacher Love' ". Carol W.
"I really love how the colors and the palm tree pop out in her piece 'The Land of Dreams' " Justine A.
"It ( Lacher Love) reminds me of a colorful octopus." April R.

Amy's fellow artists are very impressed and proud of Hope Center's current featured artist, Amy Lacher.

Saying Goodbye to a Friend

Artists were invited to come forward and add artwork or cards to Gary's remembrance wall.

Gary's silent keyboard is decorated with his favorite things, some fashioned out of clay by his friends.

Gary's full remembrance wall.

Gary Ahearn was a dearly loved member of the Hi-Hopes and a long time artist at Hope Center for the Arts.  He recently passed away.  All of his fellow artists bid him farewell at a lovely memorial service that was held here at the Center.  We decorated his keyboard, drew pictures for him, wrote him notes and shared our memories. Gary was an accomplished pianist who always seemed to have a smile on his face and a song in his heart.  We will miss him terribly. 
Here is a video of Gary created for this event. 

Visiting Artist Collaboration

We are so pleased to welcome professional artist Cheryl Walker to Hope Center for the Arts. Cheryl has been paired with Hope artist Marvin Castillo for our new mentorship program, made possible through the NEA Challenge America Grant we received. Both artists share an affinity for "Mark Making" and we are eager to see what these two artists create together over the next year. Their partnership will culminate in an art exhibition where all will be invited to view and celebrate their work together. Learn more about Cheryl's body of work at http://cherylwalkerart.com/

Come Shop Hope at Patchwork!

We have been accepted into the hip and popular Patchwork Hand Craft Fair to be held on November 2nd in Long Beach California, Marine stadium. 
We will be featuring a fun selection of our Boutique items. Handwoven scarves, hand felted soaps and several other fiber art items will be available for purchase at the show.  Hope is very proud to be accepted in this contemporary hand craft venue.  It would be great to see friends of Hope U there to enjoy the cool ocean breeze and Pacific view.  There are many restaurants and other places to take in the sights nearby.  Make a day of it in Belmont Shore, walk main street in Seal Beach or even take a tour of the Aquarium of the Pacific, of course all after shopping the Hope University booth at Patchwork Long Beach.  See you there!

Fun at the Orange County Fair!

Gary A. is really 'clowning it up' with his new friends!

This group looks very happy to be at the fair.

On Friday, July 18th we were able to go to the Orange County Fair compliments of 'Friends of the Fair Day'.  The Hope University band 'The Hi-Hopes' celebrated their 16th year of performing for 'Friends of the Fair Day' as well.  The students went in groups which were able to choose their activities.  Some groups chose rides, others chose to shop, some just wanted to watch the Hi-Hopes perform. 

"My favorite thing to do at the fair was hang out with my friends and eat lunch."
Joe V.
"I had fun performing with the Hi-Hopes and going on the carousel."
Ron L.
"The bumper cars were so much fun!"
Rene S.
"I enjoyed some deep fried Reese's Pieces and shopping.  I got a present for my cat."
Justine A.
"I got to go shopping and I liked seeing the farm animals."
Karen L.
"I just really loved shopping and eating.  I bought myself a bracelet."
Michelle E.
"Going on the rides, all of the rides!"
Tanette T.
"The food, like the deep fried Oreos and seeing the gigantic animals."
Mary M.
"I liked going on the bumper cars!"
Raymond R. 

A visit from the Anahiem Ducks support staff!

Sharon and Lori share a moment with an Anaheim Ducks volunteer.

Mikki and April are learning about a Ducks player.

Brian appreciates the volunteers help.

A group photo of the students and Anaheim Ducks volunteers.

We have new friends in the Anaheim Ducks!  In June the Anaheim Ducks hockey team chose us to be their community spotlight.  Several of their support staff came to our facility to volunteer.  They were all so nice!  The volunteers helped us with felting class, they sat in on Music Therapy, they helped some students with academics, drums were fun too with the volunteers!  Our hand bell choir put on a private concert for them, in which they were asked to ring along and learn how to play the hand bells with us.  It was so much so much fun having them here we hope they can come back again soon.  They learned a lot about us and our program and we learned a lot about them too.Thank you Anaheim Ducks!

Art Show and Mall Field Trip

Students admire their artwork on display at the mall.

All smiles in the food court and a stroll around the shops.

Keith shows us his artwork on display.

Oscar thinks his piece is #1.

Allison is very proud to have her art work on display.

Keith is taking a moment to relax.

Darryl is excited about the food court.

A relaxing lunch in the mall food court for Lauren.

A ray of sunlight is a perfect lunch spot for Darren.

Ben and Jenny take a moment after lunch to people watch.

VSA California sponsors a wonderful show of artistic talent every year at the Westfield MainPlace Mall in Santa Ana, California.  Artists with physical and intellectual disabilities are given the opportunity to showcase their art, music, dance and drama in the mall.  Each year Hope University participates in the weekend festivities and takes a field trip to see the artwork on display and enjoy some time outside of the classroom.  

Here are some favorites of the day:

"I enjoyed seeing the artwork on display, some of it was very nice."  

Amy L.

"I liked going to the mall, walking around, getting out of school for the day and keeping cool in the air-conditioning."

Margaret K.

"The mall was nice and cool, the day was so hot.  I liked seeing all of the artwork and paintings."

Jenny D. 

"I really liked seeing the artwork of my friends up on display, it was very pretty."

Rene S. 

"My favorite part was the food court.  I liked choosing my lunch.  Seeing the puppies was fun too."

Michelle E. 

"I saw a painting of a piano with different colored keys.  I thought about the music and sounds it would make."

Darren P. 

As usual, the food court was a big favorite.  Having the opportunity to choose, order and pay is very exciting.  The mall had so much art from schools and programs all around the Orange County area that it was hard to pick a favorite. The Disney store and the candy store seemed to be the most visited.  We had such a good time that we are already looking forward to next year's trip to the Westfield Santa Ana MainPlace Mall for the VSA show.   

"Shopify" Preview

A set of 4 refrigerator magnets made from original student artwork.

New item for our 'Shopify' store.

We will soon be opening our own 'Shopify' portal linked through the Hope University website. Our Hope U handmade boutique will still be open for your etsy shopping needs.  The Hope University students are making so many wonderful items that our inventory is expanding enough to offer them in other venues.  Hope Handmade made appearances at the Patchwork handmade marketplace in Santa Ana recently, as well as at our Holiday show.  I hope you check back often as we debut new items here on the blog and on our website. 

New Year and New Items in our Etsy shop!

"Purple Taffy" hand woven scarf.

Hand woven scarf.

"Lavender Meadow" hand woven scarf.

Hand woven scarf. 

It is 2014 and the students of Hope University are looking forward to another fun filled year.  Field trips, performances, parties, and fun with friends top the lists. 
Our Etsy shop has some new items for purchase.  We have listed a new item, our hand woven scarves.  The students do enjoy creating these one of a kind pieces.  Using a rigid heddle loom is a new skill that we were able to add to the fiber arts classes in 2013, and it has proved to be very popular. 

Summer of 2013 Lu-Wow!

Fun in the conga line!

Hula dancers perform 'Little Grass Shack' and 'Pearly Shells'

Joe and Leighan join in on the musical fun.

Richard and Christie rest after lunch.

The students and staff of Hope University just love the summer and we celebrate the Southern California sun with Spirit Week!  Crazy sock day starts out the week, followed by sports day, where you can dress in your favorite sports jerseys and talk sports with your friends.  On silly hat day it is always a surprise to see what comes in the door.  The week is capped off with the ever popular 'Lu-Wow' day, filled with food, dancing, Hula, limbo and a sunny summer feeling of being on vacation in the tropics. 

Print It! Print Show

Darren Petersen's First Place print, Automated Tree System

Fred Mezzo's Second place print, Lone Cowboy

Juror Carleton Christy had a challenging task in choosing winners among the many wonderful prints exhibited in Print It!, Hope university's exhibition of Print making at Catalyst Gallery in Westminster, CA.  While Darren Petersen won the first place cash prize for his Automated Tree System print, Fred Mezzo was awarded Second Place for his portrait of John Wayne titled, Lone Cowboy.  Ben Simendingers's etching Dust Cloud, was the Third Place winner, Cathy Acton's Bird on a Branch was recognized with an Honorable Mention.  Fourteen prints, beautifully framed by Randy Higby Gallery, sold at the show. 

Etsy Preview...Cards!

Two linoleum block prints by Miguel A. and Cindy H.

A lovely pen and ink drawing by Ana P.

A gently colored card by Chris F. along with a study in repetition by Joanna B.

Soon to be in our etsy shop are cards!  Each card is a reproduction of one of the Hope University student's artwork.  We have pen and ink, linoleum block prints, hand drawn images and paintings.  Each one with it's own unique charm.  All of the cards are blank on the inside for you to add your own sentiment, yet if you would like to special order them with one you can by emailing or calling us for your order.  We have so many talented people here at Hope so the selection will be grand. 

Valentine's Day Fun At Hope University

Joanna making Valentine's.

Oscar looks happy about the goodies in his bag.

Melanie stirs the white chocolate for the strawberries.

Yummy Valentine's Day treats. 

Lori and Brian enjoy the day.

Miguel plays a Valentine's Day themed Bean Bag Toss game as Richard looks on.

Pei Lin is thinking about all of the Valentine's she will get.

Joe enjoys singing Karaoke. 

On the 14th of February we had a party to celebrate Valentine's Day.  Students made Valentine's to give to their friends, filled up bags with Valentine's Day loot, played games, sang Karoke and had a DJ with a dance.   Here are a few of the students highlights.  
"I liked the dancing."  Pei Lin Stotler
"My favorite part was listening to the music."  Margaret Kelley
"I had fun passing out my Valentines to all of my friends." Rene Smith
"Singing Karaoke was my favorite part of the day." Carol Wallen
"I liked doing the Bean Bag Toss." Jennifer Doyle

A wonderful day was had by all.