Getting ready for the Gala

Centerpiece 'masks' drying.

Parent volunteer Deb D'Luna assists in glittering the masks.

Centerpiece masks with 'gems'.

Diane S's amazing red house original painting, available at this year's Gala.

Frank L's happy flower family, original colored pencil drawing available at this years Gala.

Jim L. shows us his unique perspective of light through a trellis.  

Sharon M's original painting of a resplendent Native American.  Available at our Gala.

Lori L's pretty girl in water color is reminiscent of a Japanese Kokeshi doll.  Available at this year's Gala.

As we mentioned in an earlier post, our annual fundraising gala 'Life is a Masquerade' will be this Saturday, March 10th with the silent auction room opening at 5:30.  The Hi-Hopes will play, people will dance, there is a large silent auction with a wide range of items such as, student created original artwork, gift baskets for every taste and even travel packages. 
The place is the Crowne Plaza Anaheim Resort at 12021 South Harbor Blvd, Garden Grove, CA 92804, just up the street from Disneyland!
Above you see the centerpieces being created as well as some of the original artwork waiting to be framed.
We are very excited about this years gala and do hope to add to our building fund with the money we raise.  Hope University has been saving money to purchase our own facility and we are busting at the seams with clients now.  There are so many special needs adults that would love to join our Hope U family and enrich their lives through the arts.
Please contact us for more information on our program, to donate, to volunteer or to even to take a tour of our current facility.   

A Visit From The Mayor!

Mayor Tate with Hope U students; Margaret K., Tanette T., and Lori S.

Mayor Tate chatting with Hope U student Jason R. as student Amy L. and  Board President Matt Sauer join in.

Lori S. was so happy to meet Mayor Tate!

Hope University Board President Matt Sauer, Hope University Executive Director Jan Reyes and The Mayor of Anaheim Tom Tate.

The Mayor of Anaheim, Tom Tate, came by Hope University for a visit in August.  He had been invited to the Mural Unveiling but was unable to attend though he promised to come by the program and visit with us all on another day.  He kept his promise and we were all so excited to see him.  The Hi-Hopes performed for him and he was able to see the students hard at work on art projects, exploring music and in academic classes.  The students were able to shake his hand and show him around the classrooms here at Hope U.  It made us so proud that Mayor Tate made time in his busy schedule for us.  We really appreciate his interest in our program.  We are looking forward to seeing him and more of his staff soon.  Mayor Tate was so impressed by us that he brought his wife down the next day and meet us.  Thank you Mayor Tate!

Mural Unveiling!

On Saturday, July 30th 2011 from 2:00 to 6:00 pm we will be hosting the Integrity House Mural Collaboration Unveiling.  Everyone is invited to this exhibition and opening reception at Integrity House, 2043 North Broadway, Santa Ana California 92706.
The Integrity House Mural was created by the artists of Hope University, specifically for the members of Integrity House.  After a collaborative design process, about 40 Hope University artists, 20 volunteers, 3 Integrity House members and several Hope University staff members worked together to complete the Mural.

Artists from Hope University and Integrity House worked together to create this large, amazing work of art.  The images were taken from client artworks and transferred onto  the building to be brought to life through paint and ceramic mosaic.  Here a picture truly tells a story of ability and acceptance. 
Parking is available in adjacent lot and lot directly across the street on Saturdays only. 
There will be refreshments and a performance by the renowned Hope University band, The HiHopes.  The exhibition runs from July 30th  through September 30th.  Viewing hours after the opening are 10:00am to Noon and 3:00pm to 5:00pm Monday through Friday.  Parking is available only in rear lot of Integrity House.
For more information, please contact: Shelley RuggThorp (714) 778-4440 or at sruggthorp@hopeu.com.  You also visit our website at www.hopeu.com.
Some of the students that worked on the Mural had this to say about their Mural Memories;
"I liked having a volunteer help me paint the top of the Mural on a scaffold.  I also had fun breaking up the tiles for the mosaic part."  Tanette Tuttle
"I liked spreading the glue, putting it on the tiles and adding them to the mosaic wall." Lori Slikker
"My favorite part was painting a large flower orange." Margaret Kelley

Orange County Fair Field Trip

Every year the Orange County California Fair has a special day for some very special people, called 'Friends of the Fair' Day. The Hope University students left in a bus on Wednesday, July 21st for a day of Fair fun, food and friends. They went on rides, like the big Ferris Wheel and were able to see many sights. The livestock area was a favorite, with cows, pigs and chickens, also the farm area where they have many different kinds of fruits and vegetables growing year round on the Fairgrounds. Students were also able to do some shopping and as always, lunch down food alley was an adventure. The Hi-Hopes, Hope University's musical performing group played on the big stage to the delight of many.
Firstly we have April Renick enjoying the attentions of a fun time clown while waiting in line at the gate.
Next is Gary Ahearn, one of the talented Hi-Hopes members smiling at the keyboard.
You see the entire Hi-Hopes band performing on the big stage at the Fair. From left to right: Tom Veltman, Richard Groves, Gary Ahearn, Howard Miller, Paul Kuehn, Cathy Acton, Mikki Davis and Lori Reyes.