The student-led artAbility project allows adults with disabilities to participate in free, fine arts workshops throughout the year and showcase their final artwork 5 p.m. tomorrow at the Latah County Fairgrounds.
Mia Giglio, University of Idaho student and artAbility project leader, said the project was created five years ago by a UI alumna with the vision of trying to provide really in-depth and professional art workshops for adults with disabilities.
“I think there is a narrative that people with disabilities might not be able to create as high of quality art, which is not true,” Giglio said. “There are so many beautiful pieces. Every year, I want to hang every single piece in my house.”
There are a variety of community-based activities for children with disabilities, but not for adults. So, the goal is to try and provide them with something to do, Giglio said.
Mia Giglio | Courtesy
Art showcase of artwork created by students in CDHD.
“What’s so great about the artAbility project is that it connects students to professional artists to adults with disabilities to the greater community in general — all while making great art,” Giglio said.
Beyond that, it is also a chance for participants to possibly have a business on their own or at least sell some of their artwork as revenue for themselves, she said. Three local, professional artists are contracted to host two workshops each, for a total of six, which encompass multimedia collage, cardboard with pastel and charcoal, and haiku poetry this year.
“It is a really great opportunity for community members to see what anybody is capable of when given the opportunity,” Giglio said. “And to see just how talented the artists are.”
Olivia Lebens, interdisciplinary training coordinator for the Center on Disabilities and Human Development in Moscow, said the group is Idaho’s one and only University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities. They partner with the UI College of Education and Health and Human Sciences.
“One of our core functions is interdisplinary training through the university, which means we bring in students, known as trainees, from all departments/colleges to work with and alongside our project staff and faculty,” Lebens said.
Participants Mike Gates and Toby Shultz have participated in artAbility since its creation five years ago. Gates said he grew up playing sports and never really considered doing art, but has learned to greatly enjoy it.
“I like all of the different art mediums, but my favorites have been making a clay pyramid, drumming and using charcoal on cardboard,” Gates said. “All of it was fun to learn — a lot of fun. Working with the students and teachers is also a lot of fun and just as important.”
Gates said most of his titles for his art pieces are translated to French, which allows him to be creative and more abstract. He said one is his favorite parts is coming up with names that are not all just simple, but sometimes it is hard at first to think about what the art piece is going to be in the first place.
“The showcase is a chance for community members to see the art, buy it (if they wish), and have a chance to talk to the artists about it to help them understand what the art is and what was created,” Gates said. “It is a lot of fun, and everyone should really come.”
Shultz is a more seasoned artist, mentioning watercolor as one of his favorites.
“I am looking forward to the showcase, especially reading my poems from this year,” Shultz said. “(In the past) I also enjoyed the self-portraits and drumming.”
Lebens said disability, really, is part of the human life cycle, whether someone is born with one, develops one, or one is inflicted upon them, Lebens said.
“I don’t think college students are surrounded by those with disabilities often on campuses, so it is important that we break down those misconceptions for students to be comfortable, and know that people with disabilities are their peers and equals,” Lebens said.
Allison Spain can be reached at [email protected]