New Additions 'Felt' in Hope U's Boutique

We have some new additions to our Hope University Boutique inventory.  They are beautiful felt earrings and necklaces made by the students in Lisa's Felting Class.  There are wonderful colors and textures in these unique pieces of wearable art.  Here we have some photos of hand felted earrings.  Look forward to photographs of the class making felt and perhaps even wearing felt.  These and so many more items will be featured at our boutique on the night of the Christmas Program, information to the left in the 'Upcoming Events' box.  Don't forget the boutique opens early at 5:00pm before the show.  So be sure to get there early for the best selection.  These amazing pieces are not to be missed and will sell out fast! Get your own piece one of a kind wearable felt art, exclusively available at the Hope University Boutique.  If you are interested in any of these pieces and would like to purchase them before the show, you can call us at (714) 778-4440 to inquire.

Halloween at Hope U.

Hope University's Halloween party was a blast!  Fun was had by all.  We were treated to a puppet show, put on by student Frank Luna with an improvisational  performance assisted by Miguel Aldaz.  There was a costume contest and parade, a doughnut eating contest followed by a dance with music DJ'd by Hope U's very own spinning DJ, Tom Veltman.

Amy (Williams Syndrome)  as a Kitty Cat

Carol (NOS) as a Nurse

Sharon (NOS) as a Sheriff

Terry ( Down's Syndrome) as a Lady Bug

Karen (Down's Syndrome) and Chris (NOS) showing off their awards

Shadow (Delores, Down's Syndrome) with her hand in the 'feely box' with Hope U instructor Shelley as Cesar waits.

Here are some photos of the students, costumes and fun.

Exquisite Creatures

In November several of our students' artwork will be featured at a show entitled 'Exquisite Creatures'.  This show takes a spin on the art form of 'Exquisite Corpse'.  This show will be held at the George V. Daneff Gallery,  3962 N. Studebaker road.  # 206, Long Beach CA, 90808.  The opening reception will be on Nov. 5th, 6:00 to 8:00 pm and the show will run until January 25th, 2011.
Some of the Hope University artists included are, Frank Luna, Delores (Shadow) Franks, Sharon Mauck, Jim Lin, Miguel Aldaz, Fred Mezzo and Tammy Grant.
Here are a few pieces of the Exquisite Creature.  You could print them up and add your own!

 Those  Hope University artists have really created some Exquisite Creatures!

Defining Ourselves/CORE 6 Art Exhibit

"Six years running, the CORE exhibit continues to create its own path for artists with disabilities from around the world.  CORE is a space for common bonds and promotes visibility through a diverse art forum.  Curated by Seth Pringle, First St. Gallery Manger and Rebecca Korin."

Several of our students had artwork chosen for this show, we have them here for you to view.  The talent displayed in these Hope University students work is indicative of this populations abilities.  We are very proud of all the artists here at Hope.
There will be many more amazing pieces up at the show, we do hope you will be able to visit and enjoy them all.  

Opening Reception for CORE 6, Defining Ourselves
Oct. 29th, 2010, from 6:00 to 9:00pm
The Edgemar Center for the Arts
2437 Main St.
Santa Monica, CA 90405-3539
Exhibit dates: Oct. 29th - Nov. 29th, 2010

Love by Amy Lacher

Ben Simendinger, Print

Cesar Gonzales, untitled

Darren Petersen, Tree

Fred Mezzo, Accordion

Jennifer Doyle, American Flag

Jim Lin, Dragon

Joanna Buon-Cristiani, Piano Keys

Miguel Aldaz, Arnold

Sharon Mauck, Red Head Clown

Beau Monde Float Fotos

Our last performance of Beau Monde Float was amazing and beautiful.  Here we have a few photos from that performance.  You see Karen as 'Eternity' meeting the Robot.  Her costume was created by the students and staff from paper sculpture, crochet, yarn and painted tubes.  Karen looks so serene as she holds the Earth in her arms and meets the Robot face to face.
We also have a wonderful photo of the stage with the Hand Bell Choir playing.  The students of Hope University practice twice a week to perfect their hand bell techniques.  It can be quite magical to hear them play.
'Everybody is a Parade' was punctuated by over sized paper sculptures, created by the students, like this one of a butterfly.  Richard, Mikki, Cathy and Tom sing the accompanying song as Frank, Rene and Karen bring in the parade.

Three Day Weekend!

This coming weekend is a holiday, we are off on Monday for Columbus Day. The Hope U students are excited to have an extra day to do with as they please. Here we have some students having fun on field trips, to the mall and the Orange County Fair. Margaret on a swing ride, Cathy and Paul at the mall, Lori, Michelle and Tom waving at the camera outside the mall in Santa Ana California, lastly several students on a rocket at the Orange County fair this summer.
If you are looking forward to a long weekend and need some ideas, the Hope U students have these suggestions:

"Work on an art project."
Darren Petersen

"Rest and take it easy."
Howard Miller

"Have a barbecue."
Karen Leeb

"Go to Disneyland!"
Cathy Acton

"Visit with neighbors and practice basketball."
Chris Friedman

"Sleep in and watch cartoons."
Rene Smith

We hope everyone has a terrific weekend, long or not.

Beau Monde Float, A Beatiful Success!

All of the hard work and day long rehearsals certainly paid off for the students of Hope University, Saturday, September 25th at the Plummer Auditorium in Fullerton California.
The show was amazing, the students were all shining stars on the stage.
Here are two photos of the students rehearsing dances with guest artist Marco Schindelmann.
Here is what some of the Hope University students said about the show:
"I liked my costume because it hung down my back like a tail."
Karen Leeb
"I liked aria that I sang in."
Cathy Acton
"The drum circle outside of the theater before the show, I liked drumming."
Christopher Friedman
"Playing the bells was my favorite."
Margaret Kelley
"I liked dancing on stage, throwing paper airplanes into the audience and holding up a doily."
Rene Smith
"I got to hold up one of the big fish and make it go across the stage, I liked doing that."
Dolores (Shadow) Franks
"Using the rope to dance with Marco."
Jennifer Doyle
"I really liked moving my arms in the solo dance."
Crystal Serna
Congratulations to all of the students in the show, it was an amazing performance by a group of amazing people.