Sep 7, 2007

Art program reveals students' inner artist

By Adria Murray / Society Columnist

Working with paintbrushes was a first for many students, but it certainly won't be a last.

With a burst of color, a splash of paint and artistic touches of Elmer's Glue, students in the Goodwill School to Career Youth Programs have created eight-foot-high murals that stand as a testament to their potential.

At the Youth Programs Open House and Art Show on Wednesday at the Goodwill of Silicon Valley's San Jose offices, the works of roughly 70 students with learning, independent living and employment barriers were put on display - and on the market.

During summer sessions at the Goodwill's Institute for Career Development, students ages 17 to 22 created six murals depicting personal views of their culture, work and world. Ranging from images of identity, music and animated characters, students with communication difficulties and English language learners worked together with a common voice, speaking the language of artistic expression.

"We've had a phenomenal response," said Jody Tims, the students' post-secondary special education instructor. The students, from Eastside San Jose High School District, have shown improvements in their fine motor skills and concentration, Tims says, not to mention all the "hidden talents" that were discovered along the way.

Youth Programs manager Paula Sims said, "This program expands the range of expectations for our students," both for themselves and the community.

The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation has funded this first-year art initiative with the intent to create a self-sustaining program that students will benefit from for years to come.

Sims says the goal of the art program is to "enhance the students' work and recreation skills, and develop entrepreneurship opportunities."

Students will be able to generate income for themselves through the sale of reproductions of their paintings and merchandise bearing their designs online at www.cafepress.com/ourgoodart. (A portion of the money CafÇ Press receives for the products will be returned directly to the Youth Programs.)

Along with the murals, students painted individual works as individual as they are.

Michael Munante used his hand and fingers as a paintbrush to create his "Land of Hands and Sky" piece, blending shards of green into a canvas of blue.

Michael Stone, a big fan of St. Patrick's Day, paid homage to his favorite holiday by painting a matrix of multicolored green shamrocks.

Vishal Patel created a violet-colored piece with textured hearts of glue. "He likes hearts," Youth Programs work services counselor Lisa Bartsch said. "Whenever he sits down to draw, he draws hearts."

Sims feels the program has accomplished much already, opening peoples' eyes to the students' abilities.

"You don't know what they can do," Sims said.