Breaking News!

Cindy is working on a fabric/painting. 

Hooray!  This morning at Hope Center for the Arts we were all told about some BIG NEWS!  Everyone was so excited and joyful.  We were officially told today that after years of waiting, looking and searching.......we have finally......leased.....a new building to house our program!  All of the client/artists  are looking forward to more room and air conditioning! 
Some of the new things we will have are; a drop off and pick up area for the buses, lots of room and space.  Bigger bathrooms, a sports area, a garden, dedicated art rooms, music rooms and computer rooms. We will also be having some new classes, such as Horticultural Therapy, ceramics and independent living skills. 
There will be more information and photos to come soon. 
We are all very excited to get our show on the road for the move.  The new facility is within a mile of our current place so the move won't take us too far, just a hop, skip and a jump!
Stay tuned for more information as it comes in. 

Field Trip!

Frank with his linoleum block print.

John with his colored pencil piece.

Mary is very happy with her scratch board artwork.

Darryl is very proud of his wonderful water color piece. 

The week of May 4th, we took several groups on a field trip to the Westfield MainPlace Mall in Santa Ana, CA.  The VSA California hosted performances and art shows earlier in April, in which performing groups from Hope Center for the Arts participated.  The artists at Hope Center were also featured in the art 'gallery' shows on display in the mall. 
My favorite part of going to the mall was:
"Looking at the artwork". Mary M.
"Window shopping". Karen G. 
"Seeing the puppies!" Carol W.
"Shopping and taking notes on what I want to go back to get." Justine A.
Some of the other highlights were getting to walk around the mall, being in out in the community and the eating in the food court!

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. 

NEA Collaboration with Hope Center for the Arts Artist Darren Petersen

Darren shows Diana around his cardboard town.

We are pleased to introduce the second pairing of artists that will be working together through our NEA Grant funded mentorship program. Hope artist Darren Petersen will be working with Diana Markessinis. During their initial meeting Darren introduced Diana to his sculptural town and linoleum block print work. They had a chance to discuss their ideas for their collaboration.  We are all looking forward to seeing what these two talented artists produce.  

Diana and Darren discuss their collaboration.

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. 

Valentine's Day Party

Dance party fun!

Tom V. is a crazy DJ.

Lori R. and Brian G. pose for a Valentine's Day photo.

On the Thursday before Valentines Day the artists of Hope Center for the Arts put down their brushes and musical instruments to enjoy a day of fun and frolic.  We had a photo station, decoration creation station, passed out Valentines and had a big dance party in the afternoon.  Tom was our DJ for the day and he spun some hot tunes that made everyone just want to get up and dance. 
Some of the artists tell us their favorite part of the day; 
"I liked the music and the dancing." Carol W. 
"Making decorations." Justine A.
"Passing out Valentines." Mary M.
"I liked decorating."  Dena S.
"The photo booth was fun." April R. 

We all had so much fun we can hardly wait for our next Hope Center for the Arts party! 

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/

What is in a Name?

 

Beginning in January of 2015 Hope University has a new name....
Hope Center for the Arts.
A new name for a new year and new and intriguing changes.  We are welcoming the future and embracing the new. So stay tuned for the exciting updates and follow us as we journey down this current and bright path.  To go along with this new name is a brand new logo which conveys our sense of art, music and movement into the future. 

 

 

 


Monthly inspiration is waiting in the new Hope Center for the Arts calendar for 2015.  Each month is highlighted by an inspiring piece of artwork created by one of the many talented clients at the program.  Clients show their artistic charm in many mediums, colored pencil, linoleum block printing, acrylic paints and etching are just a few. You can purchase one at our Etsy shop and while you are there take a look at some of the other delightful items created by our clients. So start each month with an enlivening alternative to the main stream with a new 2015 calender from Hope Center for the Arts.

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.   

Curious?

Lauren and company singing to the artwork.

A Curious dinosaur inspires song.

A collage of art and appreciation at Catalyst Gallery for the Curious show.

Oscar Novello appreciates his work.

Jennifer Doyle marvels at the artwork's detail.

Pei-Lin agrees with the judges that this is a first place piece.

The students of Hope University along with other programs for adults with intellectual disabilities were invited to submit their art work for a gallery show called 'Curious'.  We had many submissions and lots of artwork to be juried.  The show went well with several of our students selling work as well as being honored for their work. 
First place went to Chris Friedman for a lovely and delicate colored pencil piece,  2nd place went to Lori Reyes for a print made from her drawing 'Mystery of the Nile' and 3rd place was awarded to Juan Pieri for an amazing block print on words with ink.  There was a well deserved Honorable Mention given to a collaborative piece in watercolor and colored pencil to Chih Tseng and Bradley Clayman who worked together beautifully.
The show was held at a gallery called Catalyst in Westminster California.  
The students were able to go on a field trip to view the artwork and enjoyed improvising music, song and acting to interpret the artwork. 

"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.