International Music Enrichment

The big, long, loud horn.

Instrument demonstration.

The performer asks for audience participation.

Chris is enjoying the show.

The audience looks on.

 A very engaging performance holds the students attention.

A large array of instruments peaks interest.

On occasion we are able to have guest artists come to Hope U and perform for us.  Hope U is home to many talented adults with developmental disabilities, a number of which have exceptional musical aptitude.  Having guest artists exposes the clients to new and interesting instruments, different cultures and how they create music as well as different musical styles that they can integrate into their musical repertoire. In May we were fortunate enough to have the group 'Aconcagua', music of the Andes.  They brought many interesting and unique instruments to show and play for us.  They had drums, pan pipes, flutes, horns and even a small guitar-like instrument made from an armadillo shell!  The student were taken by the diverse sounds created by the traditional instruments as well as the artists ability to play them.  Here is what some students had to say about the performance by 'Aconcagua':
"I really like the way they sang"  Michelle E.
"I liked the big flute"  Cindy Hein.
"My favorite part was the big, long, loud horns!"  Jason Rosales.
"I thought the pan flute was awesome."  Mikki Davis.
"I liked the drums."  Ben Simendinger.
"The flutes were my favorite part."  Lori Slikker.

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 May is....

Our Artist of the Month, Karen Leeb.

Karen has a light touch with colored pencils.

"Box"  watercolor by Karen Leeb.

Karen likes to draw roses.

Karen created this work on the computer using her own drawing techniques.

For the month of May, Hope University student Karen Leeb was chosen as the 'Artist of the Month'.
Karen's art is gentle, colorful and vibrant.  She uses a soft hand with the colored pencils and becomes more bold with other mediums such as watercolor and computer art.  Karen takes art classes and enjoys working with most mediums, as you can see in her work she enjoys repeating pattern.
"I feel pretty good when I do art." is what Karen says about creating her work.
Other students also like to look at Karen's artwork;
"She is very creative."  Lori Slikker.
"They are beautiful." Kris W.
"She has talent." Margaret Kelly.
We all think Karen makes lovely artwork and we hope she continues to make more.

Annual Fundraiser a Success!

Happy guests.

Hope U student April assisting with the raffle.

The dance floor was busy all night.

Volunteer Logan Carter shows off a beach cruiser raffle prize.

Silent auction bidders.

In  earlier posts we showed students working on art for our annual fundraiser.  The event has come and gone with an exceptional evening had by all.  The Hi-Hopes performed much to the delight of the guests who danced the night away.  Our popular silent auction brought many back several times to check on their bids as the numbers climbed higher.  The raffle brought a demonstration of a beach cruiser bicycle that was ridden around the dance floor so everyone could have a better look.  A live auction of items and a live donation auction brought in much needed funds for our program, with the proceeds we will be able to purchase new computers for the office and computer room as well as new instruments, storage and supplies.  We thank everyone who attended and helped to support Hope University. 
Some students who attended the event told us what they liked about it:
"I liked the dancing."  Kim Mumper.
"Dancing with my friends."  April Renick.
"The food that they served us for dinner."  Ben Simendinger.
"I liked dancing on the dance floor."  Karen Greene.
"The ice cream." Frank Luna.  

Cardboard Becomes A Stadium

The back of the 'Stadium'.

Darren showing us the baseball.

Where the motor will go for the players.

A proud artist posing with his 'in progress' sculpture.

In Darren Petersen's hands cardboard can become many things.  Cardboard is his medium of choice and with his imagination and dreams it becomes amazing things.  Darren, a student at Hope University, enjoys imagining what his sculptures could do if they were real.  He has created cardboard sculptures of objects such as boats, street sweepers, airplanes and even a helicopter.  This sculpture is of Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California.  Darren dreams of sitting in stands as he sculpts, he pictures the players on the field and the ball soaring into the outfield with cheers for a home run coming from the crowds.  There are plans to install a motor, lights and a fan to blow 'fireworks' just like at the game.   Fred Mezzo, a fellow Hope University, student has been assisting Darren in this sculpture.  Fred has been working on the people that will populate the completed piece.
"It helps to have someone else work with me on a project because things get done a lot faster." Darren explained about Fred.
"I am just glad to have help, I can really use it."  He adds.
We are all excited to see how the 'Stadium'  turns out.  Both Darren and Fred are very enthusiastic about this collaborative sculptural project.

More Etsy Items

Hand knitted tool holder, shown with paint brushes.

Hand knitted pencil/tool holders, in cupcake shapes.

A variety of hand felted soaps.

As you may have read in our last post we will soon be opening an Etsy shop.  We are in the process of photographing items as well as measuring and choosing product.  The students in the Etsy class have had a 'hand' in modeling, making, measuring and choosing the items to photograph so far.  This gives the clients a good opportunity to see just how much work goes into marketing and display.  This week we show you two new items, felted soaps and knitted pencil/tool holders.  The soaps are natural soaps that have been wrapped in sheep's wool and hand felted by the Hope U students in a fiber arts class.  The pencil/tool holders are also made by Hope U. students in a knitting class and then sewn into 'cupcake' shapes to hold pencils, pens, small scissors, paintbrushes, pins or any other small tool you may need held. 

Wrist Warmers to Warm Your Heart

Hope University's knitters have been busy knitting up product for our soon to open Esty shop.  Felted bags, scarves, our little owls and pin cushions/pen holders, pot & pan scrubbies, even head bands are all waiting to be photographed for the shop.  This week we were able to find the perfect hand model for our unique wrist warmers.  April Renick's hands really fit the bill.  She was so excited to be chosen and had great poise for our hand poses. 
We asked April to tell us a little bit about her new found hand modeling experience,
"It was fun, I enjoyed it.  My favorite part of doing the hand modeling was being able to try on all the colors of wrist warmers.  It was my first time being a hand model and I would definitely want to do it again."
Thank you April for lending us your lovely hands and we all think she will get her wish to hand model again for us here at Hope University. 
We share with you here some photos from the wrist warmer shoot, featuring April's hands.