Community art workshops seek public participation to create group projects

This is your chance to be part of the process of creating several large-scale finished art pieces. The Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara Foundation is hosting art workshops from September to November led by professional artists, with limited openings for community participation.

During the 75-minute workshops, local artists will teach basic skills in various media, including creating tiles, weaving and papermaking, to people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities served by OUN and interested community members. This year, workshops are planned at Opportunities Unlimited locations as well as Market Street Art Center, Our Lady of Peace Nursing Home, Kenan Center and the Dale Association.

The hands-on workshops will focus around a central theme of artistic exploration of three-dimensional art and texture. Artists and topics will include fiber artist Carol Ann Rice Rafferty of Clarence, papermaking and weaving; Morgan Milovich of Grand Island, ceramic tile-making and textural vessels; and Anne Romanello of Orchard Park, glass fusing.

Milovich will work with participants in creating a large "puzzle mosaic" and also assist with the installation of the finished creations. This is a hands-on project, with every participant contributing to the large-format pieces of artwork, which will be the end result. Community volunteers will assist with the workshops as well as offering one-on-one assistance to participants.

These art education workshops are designed to fulfill an important goal of OUN: to develop the artistic abilities within people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities, while promoting community integration through the inclusion of the participants, volunteers and/or community students from the public at each session. 

The workshops are scheduled as follows:

Tuesday, Sept. 27

• Artist: Carol Ann Rice Rafferty; media: papermaking using 3-D forms/texture
• 10-11:15 a.m., Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara, 1555 Fashion Outlet Blvd., Niagara Falls
• 12:30-1:45 p.m., Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara (same location)

Wednesday, Sept. 28

• Artist: Carol Ann Rice Rafferty; media: weaving large-scale outdoor project
• 10-11:15 a.m., Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara, 2510 Niagara Falls Blvd., Wheatfield
• 12:30-1:45 p.m., Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara (same location)

Friday, Sept. 30

• Artist: Carol Ann Rice Rafferty; media: group quilt wall hanging
• 10-11:15 a.m., Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara, 107 Heath St., Lockport, NY
• 12:30-1:45 p.m., Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara (same location)

Friday, Oct. 7

• Artist: Morgan Milovich; media: tile-making
• 10-11:15 a.m., Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara, 1555 Fashion Outlet Blvd, Niagara Falls

• 12:45-2 p.m., Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara (same location)

Friday, Oct. 14

• Artist: Anne Romanello; media: glass fusing
• 10-11:15 a.m., Market Street Art Center, 247 Market St., Lockport
• 12:30-1:45 p.m., Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara, 107 Heath St., Lockport

Tuesday, Oct. 18

• 10-11:15 a.m., Our Lady of Peace Nursing Home, 5285 Lewiston Road, Lewiston
• 12:30-1:45 p.m., Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara, 1555 Fashion Outlet Blvd, Niagara Falls

Monday, Oct. 24

• Artist: Morgan Milovich; media: puzzle mosaic part I tile-making
• 10-11:15 a.m., Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara, 107 Heath St., Lockport
• 12:30-1:15 p.m., Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara (same location)

Monday, Oct. 31

• Artist: Morgan Milovich; media: puzzle mosaic part II glazing
• 10-11:15 a.m., Dale Association, 33 Ontario St., Lockport
• 12:30-1:15 p.m., Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara, 107 Heath St., Lockport

Monday, Nov. 7

• Artist: to be announced; media: tile-making
• 10-11:15 a.m., Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara, 2510 Niagara Falls Blvd., Wheatfield
• 12:30-1:45 p.m., Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara (same location)

Monday, Nov. 21

• Artist: to be announced; media: glazing pieces from previous workshops and creating small ceramic vessels
• 10-11:15 a.m., Kenan Center, 433 Locust St., Lockport
• 12:30-1:45 p.m., Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara, 107 Heath St., Lockport.

All of these workshops are made possible, in part, with funds from the Arts Niagara Decentralization Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts, administered by the Tonawandas' Council on the Arts/Carnegie Art Center.

Additional funds are provided by Target, as part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen families and communities throughout the country. All workshops are open to the public and a nominal fee may be charged for supplies. Community participants must pre-register by contacting Marcia Ross at 716-434-4050, ext. 417 or email [email protected].