Arts & Crafts Classes

Welcome to Arts & Crafts Classes! Among the arts and crafts, various clients have participate in projects making ceramics, basket weaving, woodworking, macramé, beading, key ring making, crocheting and knitting. These classes offer educational and cultural opportunities to help clients adapt and enjoy their lifestyles. The VIP client builds an unified and unique community experience with other visually impaired persons.

Basket weaving- Many clients participate in basket weaving whether it be with plastic or traditional reeds. Most of the clients prefer plastic reeds due to coordination, however one blind client has taken very well to traditional weaving and has completed a lovely wide bottomed basket for her home.

Beading and key ring making- This new project has recently been introduced to the clients. They’ve made bracelets, necklaces and key chains for themselves and their friends in a very short period of time.

Clay sculpture- A project done thus far has been to make a sun out of clay, using different tools and techniques. Unfortunately the suns were never painted due to complications with the kilns. We hope to continue ceramic projects after the issue is resolved.

Crocheting and knitting- Both are very well received by the women who join the Arts & Crafts program in the afternoons. They’ve made afghans for family members, learned new techniques from one another and enjoy watching other projects move along in the process. Other projects include macramé plant holders, which has become more popular with the men.

Leather working- A few of the clients have participated in making their own belts and change purses out of leather kits. One client in particular has made different colors to go with different clothing items and wears them frequently to the center as an example.

Mosaic tiling- Tiles will be done as a group to promote unity among the ARCS participants as well as the staff and center. The pieces will be placed in the yard, in route to the covered patio when finished.

Woodworking- These types of projects are common and well liked by clients of the program due to the flexibility of the medium. Kits of birdhouses, key hangers, napkin holders, jewelry boxes, oven rods, bagel slicers, puzzles, trivets and custom pieces are among some of the projects already completed.