Community Art Reach Needs:
- Glue
- Clay Oil
- Pastels
- Markers (all kinds)
- Paint sets
- Colored Pencils
- Pencil Sharpeners
- Canvas
- Paper
- Erasers (not novelty)
- Good useable art papers
- Small note pads
- Sketch pads (spirals especially)
- Rulers
- How to draw books, (new and used)
- Glue Sticks
- Activity books (art and design related)
- Scissors
- Mat boards (cut to fit in a large ziplock bag just under 10”x11”)
In 2002, uder the leadership of Sara Wamsat, Omaha Artists, Inc. began their "Commuity Art Reach" program which involved donating art supplies to such places as the Hope Center and the Ronald McDoald House. These supplies are collected by the membership each year at the November meeting. A friend who taught English as a Second Language classes to the Sudanese for Metropolitan Comunity College said she also could use some art supplies, as well as an art teacher for her classes.
Thank you to those who gave donations and funds for Community Art Reach.
Sara Wamsat
884-2277
Carol Coppi, Diane Kujawa, Sara Wamsat, Jo Anne Nielsen, Margaret Nusrallah, Barb Mitchell, and Donna Hill sort items donated by club members for distribution to child-related organizations such as the Ronald McDonald House, Lied Transplant Center, and the Child Saving Institute.
Art Bridge
Omaha Artist volunteers began teaching classes to the English as a Second Language classes in March of 2002. We introduce art basics; we give what we call an "art experience" — time to be creative. We teach two 45 minute classes to approximately 30 students, both men and women. Classes are held on the second Wednesday of each month, September through May.
The "art experience" has truly evolved through trial and error. Many of these students have come from terrible situations, especially the Sudanese, who often come from refugee camps and have been relocated many times. We began to see how absorbed they become during their work. The students are very bright and design oriented. Our goal has been to give them a positive art experience, reinforce their English, teach basic skills of drawing and painting, and send them home each time with a shomewhat finished work. We also try to introduce seasonal and cultural scenes that they will encounter in Nebraska. We do snowmen and Valentines, flowers, leaves, and pumpkins relating them, if we an, to something they know from their country – and alwyas we say, "English, please." I wish you could see the variety we get as they take our simples lessons and "run with them." The ESL teachers are also thrilled with the art lessons.
An extension of OAI's Community Art Reach, we now teach 45 adult ESL students from Burma, Bhutan and the Sudan each month. Art "bridges" the language/culture barriers. For more information, see our new pink OAI roster.
Carol Coppi
Art Bridge Co–Ordinator
402–339-7289
For more information contact Carol.
On December 12, we cut out " Snowflakes" guided by Melody Stohlman and Barb Mitchell. Sixty five candy gift bags were given to our students and teachers. Thanks to our many teacher/helpers (see above photo) and Omaha Artists for art supplies to meet the challenge of our many ESL students who meet at Harvest Community Church each week.
January 9 will feature a "potato print snowman" lesson taught by Barbara Mitchell. We try to stay current and
snow seems to be an obvious theme!.
Art Bridge classes
All classes on 2nd Wednesday of the Month:
September to May
9:00-11:00 AM
Location:
Harvest Community Church, 3903 Cuming Ave.,Omaha, NE.
ESL Classes
Monday-Thursday
Harvest Community Church
3903 Cuming Omaha, NE.
Metro Community College Coordinator:
Teresa Cooley-Daniel
402-457-2640
ESL Teachers (on site):
Jimmie Johnson 402-991-7023
Julie Brockhoff and John Vickerman
402-319-5955
Christmas Break: Dec. 24 - Jan 2, 2012
