Admiring the Mural

Cindy H. admires the mosaic.

Darren C. gets up close to a leaf.

Vicki V. poses with a flower.

Joanna B. with a car.

Rene, Chris and Karen enjoy their veggie burgers.

Hallway art gallery.

Diane, Chris and Rene view the art work.

This week the students of Hope University are took several small groups on a field trips to Integrity House in Santa Ana California.  We had  lunch with them, enjoyed the hallway art gallery and admired our beautiful mural which was created in tandem with that program.  Students, staff and volunteers from Hope University all collaborated in creating the mural on the outside of the Integrity House building.  It incorporates drawings, paintings and mosaics of the students art work. Whimsical and representational as well as some portraits of the clients at Integrity House.  We enjoyed veggie burgers, french fries, salad, apples slices and lentil soup, all of which were prepared by the staff and clients at Integrity House. 
On the dedication addition to the mural it states:
Trees represent a place of shelter.
Flowers represent the blossoming of a person.
Birds represent the ability to soar beyond other peoples expectations.
All of these are true about both programs and the students and clients who attend them. 
They find shelter and understanding with peers and staff at their programs.
They blossom as people, friends, family members and productive members of society.
They often soar well beyond all expectations put upon them by society and even themselves!
All so very true, and so much can be learned from them and their amazing ABILITIES!

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

April Open House

Mr. and Mrs. Slikker view their daughter's Polar Bear print.

Some of the Open House attendees listen to the Hi-Hopes perform.

A selection of Boutique items for sale.

Bradley showing his mother one of his favorite programs in the computer room.

Felting supplies and finished beads.

Mosaic mirrors.

A showing of prints.

Lori demonstrating her knitting skills.

An 'Open House' was held at Hope University's Anaheim location on Wednesday, April 13th.  We welcomed students, parents, prospective students, guests, board members and donors to come.  The turn out was wonderful, we enjoyed showing our program to many people, some familiar and some new.  Each instructor had examples of the work created or done in their classes.  There were demonstrations of block cutting and printing, knitting with needles and a circle loom, interactive computer programs and self advocacy.  We had on display many items from classes such as poetry, mosaic, math, reading, literature, paintings, drawings, felt making, and others for all to see.   The attendees were entertained by the Hi-Hopes, Fred Mezzo on the accordion, the handbell choir and Joanna Buon-Cristiani on the piano. Those who wanted to shop were treated to a showing of our boutique items, all made by the students here at Hope. 
A student recounts her experience at the Open House, by Lori Slikker:
"When we had our Open House here at school, I was asked to come and show my knitting skills.  I was more than happy to do it!  A little girl came over to where I was sitting and asked me to teach her how to knit.  I was really happy to teach her.  She picked it up really fast and I had a big smile on my face.  Even my knitting teacher was impressed with how I was able to be a knitting teacher here at the Open House."
All of the staff was very proud of the students who attended and performed that evening.