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IARTrS HArAF' h i'2< 1i~ 9 ~~ç91J 'TJ1III'i Sensoey Exploration Arns programn off ers deaf and deaf/blind students creative communication outiet By Stephanie Hounseil CANADIAN CHAMPION STAFF I l al starts with a tnip to a strawberry patch or sugar bush, or maybe a vîsît with some exotie animais. Add some time expior-ing with the senses -tasting the bernies, petting the animais and then expressing through art, and you've got the basis for a unique new initiative. The Scnsory Exploration Arts (SEA) pro- gramu being held ai Multons Bob Ruinhail Associations for the Deaf (BRAD) isot so much about the end product as it is about the process uts artîsts - most of whom are decaf or deaf/biind and also face a variety of devel- opruental and/or physîcal disabilities and sensory impairments - go through. For many of the program participants, communicating doesn't corne easily But ibis prograni gives them a chance to mnake their voiceslheard. Ancd prograru co-ordinator (orene J onat couldn't be happier. "Arts- heen like another ori of' coinui nication for ihenii," jonai said Participants in this pilot programi - wvhich started in F-ehruary and has heen extended until March - are clients of the two organizations who've teamed up [or this prograru, BRAD and DeafBlind Ontario Services. Its funded hy the Ontario Trîlliur Foundcation. So far, nearly 100 people have taken part. Until the end of the month, some of the artwork produced throtigh the prograru can be viewecl ai the A.M. Gallery ai Milton Mal ciuring the gallerys rcgtilar hocirs - Thuirsdlays, Fi ncays and Saaîurdlays froin 10 at111 to 6 p.ru. It dcsn'i take long to sec the henelits of c rcaiive expression in inidividutls .vho have likelv neyer thoughit of themnselves as artists, J onat said. "Lots of smiling, laughing, quiet focus and exciternent can be secn [rom the artists,- said Jonat, whos an artist herseif and an expressive arts therapist. -They're given the freedomn just to be... Wc could ail use more of that.- Some of the themes the group has expiored include animais, nature and weath- er. They've clone this through a w&ide varieîy of media, mncluding watcrcolour, scented paint, warmi and cool Plav-Doh, as well as mnaterials such as bariey, sand, beads, string and foul. These ailow. for play and exploration of -see STUDENTS on page B5 Join the Private Sale Circle. hmS/i Your Homs Pay YoumfeI m .a 9 0 5- 2 03-148 4 wvww.PropertyGuys.com s 2Mhb90 r 6 2 9 ý 9 c'3 10 Mqq«ý[ Hý1q1î rvl 111 1 l il i Ïl il, Il 5 4 'il t ý?, 41 4 9 9