With the passing of 2019 and the anticipation of 2020 I can’t help but take a minute to express my heartfelt gratitude to our participants, their families, our Art Therapy Express Board of Directors, and our interns and volunteers. Thank you for your support in our fundraising efforts the past several months. I was touched by the generosity of our families. It became crystal clear that the true gifts are in the relationships we are blessed to share within our walls.

2019 has been a year of many laughs and some tears, but because you have become family, our journey was traveled together.

Each day that Shayla and I are blessed to be in the studio we learn so much from each of you about kindness, love, friendship, and self-less giving... and the true joy that so naturally evolves when we simplify, discover and create together.

Happy New Year friends and family...

Join us for our Kaleidoscope Adapted Art Studio program, "Kaleidoscope Summer," this August. You will go on an aesthetic journey as the world of painting meets the world of music. This art camp will jump start your self-expression, making it more authentic, personal, and powerful. 

For ages 16 through Adults.
Sign up here: 
https://www.nccde.org/Calendar.aspx?EID=5645

The Kaleidoscope Adapted Art program offers many opportunities to learn, grow, and socialize through art.

The Open Studio introduces participants to clay, sculpture, watercolor and acrylic painting, drawing, photography, oil pastels, mixed media, music, creative movement, and drama, all led by Art Therapy Express art therapists and guest artists.

Art Night with Your Best Buddy is a fun evening of painting and socializing at the art studio in partnership with Best Buddies Delaware and Art Therapy Express.

Our Summer Camp allows participants to transform their art with 6 principles of art (design, value, color, texture, risk and soul)! This 2 week (10 day) art camp jumpstarts self-expression, making it more authentic, personal and powerful. Our “inclusive” setting allows for all participants to create new friendships and joy while creating 2 dimensional and 3 dimensional “masterpieces” and engaging in movement and drama creative arts sessions.

On April 27, Delawareans with disabilities and University of Delaware student volunteers teamed up to paint their own tropical island paradises at Artfest, a celebration of community and creativity.

Now in its 12th year, Artfest is a collaboration of the Center for Disabilities Studies, Art Therapy Express and the New Castle County Department of Community Services.

“Since life is a celebration, we are holding a painting party,” said Lisa Bartoli of Art Therapy Express. Each Artfest participant received a canvas and followed along as Bartoli demonstrated painting the island scene. After finishing the basics of beach, sea and sky, artists personalized their pieces by adding figures, flora and the like. 

This is a change from previous Artfests, which featured multiple art projects. This time, Bartoli says, participants got the chance to enjoy and craft, unhurried, a more involved piece. “It’s a success-oriented project,” she said, where participants will get to come home with “one thing to be really proud of.”

The event also offers participants like Ebony Tucker the opportunity to form bonds with UD student volunteers, such as Chloe Weissman. “When I heard about this year’s Artfest,” said Tucker, “the first thing I did was ask Chloe if she was coming. Oh my gosh, that girl is amazing.”

The pair bonded last year over marble painting and other artistic pursuits. “We spent a little while getting to know each other,” said Weissman, a UD education major. “Then it was just like hanging out with an old friend.”

“There’s an instant connection,” said Bartoli. “I think the art builds that bridge.”

Read more: 
12th Annual Artfest

David has been an integral part of Art Therapy Express for 5 years now. Finding ATE at the age of 37 he uses art as a means to self-express. He firmly believes that “anything is possible” and that art allows us all to “communicate with non-verbal individuals." 

David uses art as an intellectual stimulant. Creativity broadens his thinking and art has helped give him a new perspective on life and to see the perspective of others in an observant and non-judgmental way. Art offers David the ability to help others, which is something at which he is both passionate and very gifted. Adaptive technology and adaptive devices are a vital part of his creative art journey, allowing him to help others overcome their challenges by taking away obstacles and solving how to make the impossible possible.

David’s creativity, determination and unwavering belief that all people are capable of greatness has become an incredible asset to the Art Therapy Express family.