Art often shows the viewer something: a landscape, a portrait, or just something to interpret. But works at Bell Elementary are showing the group of artists who created them something. 

“It’s showing them they can be independent,” said Ashley Gaige. 

Mrs. Gaige’s 8:1:1 class has four students: John, Danny, Daniel and Anna. The 8:1:1 program is for students with severe disabilities, often including limited mobility. 

 

 

“The goal of the art curriculum within the 8:1:1 program was to have students create pieces as independently as possible,” said teaching assistant Elizabeth Johnson. “A lot of their school work requires hand-over-hand instruction. When art comes into play that often leaves the decision-making process to the teacher or aide instead of the student. These projects were inspired by their natural movements: pulling, dropping, ripping, etc., and their interests to facilitate independence in the process of creation.”

The feature exhibit is TORN by John. It is a series of torn pieces of paper.

“John uses his tactile senses to make decisions rather than relying on visual cues, creating an impressive range of textures and shapes that inspire the imagination,” said Johnson.

 

 

Mrs. Gaige’s class showed off their work during its first-ever art show on the evening of February 13. About 40-50 people attended. 

“They were happy to see familiar faces and hear familiar voices. They were thrilled to be able to showcase their work,” said Gaige.

They had a lot to be proud of.

“They were so happy they could do this on their own. You could see in their eyes they were overjoyed,” said Gaige.

The class is now working on lessons centered around music. The art is displayed at Bell Elementary through February 15.