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.

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/

2013 Hope University Calendars Now Available!

Chris Friedman's linoleum block print, 'Desert Bloom'.

Jim Lin's water color,  'Fish'.

Darren Petersen's linoleum block print, 'Automated Tree System'.

Yes, we all need one so why not make yours count.  The annual Hope University Calendar is now out and available for purchase.  What a wonderful way to show your support of this community and Hope University all year long.  Each month you will be treated to a unique work of art created by one of the many talented artists here at Hope U.  In the calender you will see watercolors, colored pencil, acrylic paintings and linoleum block prints, each one an expression of the students amazing abilities.  
You can place your order over the phone, send us an email or even come by.  They will also be available at one of the many holiday Boutiques we will be attending as well as the annual Hope U Christmas Show.  So don't wait, get yours now, only $15.00 each. 
All three of the wonderful artworks pictured above are included in the calendar for 2013. 

Spirit Week Staff Talent Show!

Rene Cortez singing opera.

Shelley RuggThorp singing with the students from our group The Hi-Hopes in accompaniment.

Vera plays the flute with Susie on piano.

SuzAnne singing opera.

Steven Noguera playing classical guitar.

Lisa brightening up the stage with comedy.

The Hope University students enjoying the staff talent show.

Michele V. & Vera O. sing karaoke for the students.

Our Spirit Week continued with a Staff Talent Show.  All of the staff at Hope University are artists in their own right.  Hope has visual artists, writers, singers, performers, musicians, painters and fiber artists.  On the day of the Staff Talent show, some of the performing artists were able to show off their craft.  The students were treated to a wonderful show of opera, classical guitar, flute, piano, and a comedy performances.  Shelley RuggThorp sang with some of the students from our performing group 'The Hi-Hopes' as accompaniment.  The students enjoyed seeing their instructors on stage and marveled at their amazing talents. 

Exploring Art

Karen explores repetition and color.

Michelle likes to use acrylics and an easel. 

Joanna finds out how colors work on a dark background.

Tanette gets ready to work on her sewing project.

Hope University is a day program for adults with developmental disabilities.  We have an arts based curriculum centered on exploring each clients abilities.  There are many arts for the clients to choose from, painting, drawing, pen and ink, printmaking, knitting, weaving, sewing, felting, pastels, acrylics, even graphite.  Here we have some views of clients participating in the offerings.  Artwork created by the clients is often used in making items that we sell at our annual holiday boutique as well as on our Etsy shop.  Custom paintings and artwork are available for commission by our talented artists by request.  Please visit our website to view more. 

Aritst of the Month Darren Petersen

This month we are featuring Darren Petersen as Artist of the Month.  You may remember some of Darren's art in past posts as he is quite prolific.  Darren generally prefers to work in sculpture, as shown in his robot, helicopter and baseball stadium but this time he ventured into 2D art with linoleum block prints.  Darren's love of all things mechanical is evident in his imaginative subject matter.  He has created a series of vehicles of which a book is being compiled along with a story to expand upon them.  Darren's artwork is certainly interesting and inventive.  Here are a few comments from his fellow students:
"I think he did a good job with the lines."  Margaret Kelley
"I like the Space Vehicle, the way you can see the throttle, the fancy wheels and the body." Fred Mezzo
"The Space Vehicle makes me feel like I am up in space!" Lori Slikker
Congratulations Darren Petersen, Artist of the Month.

VSA Art on Display in Santa Ana

Joanna enjoys the artwork.

Richard points out a favorite.

Gary gets the best seat for art viewing.

It's nice to take it all in.

Mikki and Howard pose in the food court.

Alexis is very happy after eating cheese fries.

Joanna relaxes after a long walk through the mall.

Miguel's linoleum block print that will travel to Laguna Beach.

Ben's linoleum block print that will travel to Laguna Beach.

During the week of April 30 thru May 4th the students of Hope University were given the opportunity to go to the Westfield Main Place Mall in Santa Ana, California, to view their artwork.  Many schools, day programs and school districts throughout Orange County were included in the show.  Artwork was also selected from this large show to continue on to Laguna Beach for a traveling show.  Two of our students were selected for this special showing, Ben Simendinger and Miguel Aldaz are the proud artists.  We were able to take small groups to view the work, stroll around the mall and enjoy lunch in the food court.  Here are some favorite moments from the trip:
"I like all of the artwork and also buying lunch at McDonald's."  Kim Mumper.
"Looking at the artwork and the shops was fun."  Kris W.
"I liked looking around the mall."  Joanna Buon-Cristiani.
"There were many different artists work there, I liked seeing it all.  I also liked getting a break from school to walk around the mall."  Margaret Kelley.
As you can see the Westfield Main Place Mall is a hit with the students.
Our artwork is on display until May 13th.

Artist of the Month for February is Jenny Doyle!

Jenny is honored for her artwork.

Jenny's collage and watercolor.

Three colored pencil drawings by Jenny D.

Jenny's artistic interpretation of a shamrock and a rabbit.

A sunset with birds in watercolor by Jenny D.

Each month a Hope University student is honored for their artistic talents.  They receive a certificate and accolades from their fellow students.  Also, their work is displayed at the back of the gathering hall for all to admire.  This month, February, we honor student Jennifer Doyle for her artistic contributions to Hope U. 
What Jenny has to say about her art: 
"I like my artwork, I think I do a good job at art."
"I like to draw with colored pencils, it is good for my coordination to stay on the paper".
On water colors she says, "I like working with watercolors too, it is easier to move my brush back and forth on the paper with watercolors."
On collage, "I like to paste down the pieces so they won't stick up. I thought a lot about the colors, I asked myself, 'what colors should I use' before I chose them."
We are all enjoying Jennifer's work, she is so enthusiastic about her artwork and that inspires us all.
Great job Jenny!

Traveling Art Show

Chris Friedman,  linoleum block print.

Miguel Aldaz, computer generated line drawing.

Sharon Mauck, colored pencil freehand drawing.

Crystal Serna, freehand colored pencil drawing.

Crystal

Tanette Tuttle, linoleum block print 'Watermelon Boat'.

Tanette.

Lori Slikker, linoleum block print.

Lori.

Six of Hope University's artists had their work chosen by the VSA to be included in their 'Arts on the Move Traveling Art Exhibit'.  Out of these six pieces, three were selected to be a part of the 'Laguna Beach 'Festival of the Arts', Junior Art Exhibition'. All six of these will be on display at the festival from July 3rd through August 31st.  We hope you can attend the Festival of the Arts in Laguna Beach to enjoy the show and see our students work in person. 
Here we have all six artworks and photos of the three featured artists.  The work spans several mediums from computer to block printing.  Each of these pieces was created by the student in art classes at Hope University where the art teachers strive to expand the clients abilities and options tailored to the individual. 

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.