Friends of the Fair Day at the Orange County Fair!

Ben, Rene and Joanna 'clowning around'.

April on the Swing ride.

April, Joanna and Margaret waiting in line for a ride.

Bradley looking so happy to go into the fairgrounds.

April riding a big pink bird.

Sharon and Darren getting ready to look at the horses in the barn.

Carol, Michelle, Karen and Mignon having fun at the O.C. Fair.

On July 20th many of the Hope University students attended the Orange County Fair at the Orange County Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa California.  Each year the O.C. Fair provides a day, called 'Friends of the Fair' Day where persons with disabilities get in free.  We are so grateful to the O. C. Fair for providing this service for us all.  The theme of the Fair this year was 'Let's Eat!' celebrating all of the wonderful Fair foods we love.  The students and staff rode in a chartered bus to and from the Fair.  Some of the things we saw were, rides, horses, sunflowers, vendors selling all sorts of things and food, lots of food!
Everyone had a lot of fun and can hardly wait to go back again next year.  Thank you Orange County Fair for having 'Friends of the Fair' Day.

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

'Catch Me Bird'

Darren on the rings.

Margaret on the rings.

Kimmie on the rings.

Hope University student guest performers.

Catch Me Bird dancing together.

Catch Me Bird dancing together.

Napkin up her nose, napkin in his ears.

Catch Me Bird dancing with a table.

Catch Me Bird dancing with a table.

The Segerstrom Center for the Arts Teach Program provides a wonderful array of dance, music and drama programs for educational facilities.  We have had several of them perform for us.  In June we were treated to a duo called 'Catch Me Bird'.  They are a married couple who dances together.  Their choreography reflects the love, conflict and humor associated with many relationships.  In their dance piece they incorporated several props, such as a table, chairs, napkins and two large double ringed objects.  With these double rings they invited a few students onto the stage and made them part of the dance!  We loved having the guest performers and we think they liked us a lot too!
Some of the Hope University favorite moments of 'Catch Me Bird' are:
"I liked going on the 'rings' on stage."
Margaret K.
"When they put napkins up their nose and in their ears!"
Tanette T.
"I liked it when they danced together."
Lori S.
"My favorite part was when they set the table and danced on it!"
Michelle E.
"It was kind of scary when they balanced on their props."
Darren C.
"The way they stretched out their bodies as they danced on the stage, they opened their arms very wide."
Carol W.
"How the two dancers, who are husband and wife, were interacting with each other."
April R.

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. 

Mall Crawl Field Trip

Art on display at the mall.

Fred Mezzo's 'Las Vegas Girls'.

Ben S. with his poetry.

Kim and Cesar in the elevator.

Kim M. in front of Hope U artwork on display at the mall.

Rene S. in front of Hope U artwork on display at the mall.

Christie C. making a purchase at the mall.

Hope U students taking in the sights at the mall.

After the Hope University students performed at the Westfield Mall in Santa Ana there was an art show that remained for all to view.  One of the Hope U students' favorite field trips of the year is the one to the mall to view the art.  We all love going out into the community and enjoying a day of walking about, window shopping and eating lunch in the food court.
Several Hope University students had their artwork chosen to go on the traveling exhibit.  Crystal Serna, Miguel Aldaz, Sharon Mauck, Tanette Tuttle, Chris Friedman and Lori Slikker will all have art 'on the move' with the traveling exhibit.
All of the students love going to the mall.  Some of their favorite things to do and see are:
"My favorite thing at the mall was seeing my artwork on display."
Fred Mezzo
"Seeing my Hope University friends artwork hanging in the mall.
Tammy Grant
"I liked seeing the puppies in the puppy store!"
Tanette Tuttle  (This was several students favorite activity too).
"Walking around the mall and enjoying the sights.

Margaret Kelley
"Going to the food court!"
Lori Slikker

Spending time in the community and participating in daily life activities are just some of the things Hope University provides for their students.  The staff's favorite thing about going to the mall was seeing how much fun the students had!

VSA Performance

The Hope University Choir

The Ladies of the Choir accompanied by Hope U student Ron Langloe on the guitar.

Men of the Choir.

Terry C. and April R. perform with the dance.

Ladies and Gentlemen, The Hi-Hopes!

Hope University student Jim L. accompanies the Hope U. Dancers on the violin.

In April the VSA had their annual event at the Westfield Main Place Mall in Santa Ana California.  There was art on display by clients and students from around Orange County. Hope University was represented by several visual artists, poets, musicians, singers and dancers.  The Hope University Choir performed along with the Hi-Hopes and the Hope University Dance class.  The art is on display currently.  The students and staff of Hope U will be going on field trips to view the art work, so look for the blog posts about the field trips!

Several art pieces were chosen for a traveling show as well.  Hope University artists will have their work on display across the continent.

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.