Creating community inclusion through the arts

Art, music and horticulture are deeply rooted in what we do at Ontario ARC, thanks to our Creative

Creative Expressions artists work on a sail
for the festival's Sail Trail.

Expressions team.  They provide the tools and guidance that have helped hundreds of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities independently express their thoughts, feelings and emotions.  And each spring, our artists and musicians have a place to share and exhibit their creative talents with the community.

The ARTS Experience is a two-week long festival celebrating community inclusion and the arts at Hobart & William Smith Colleges.  ARC Chapters from around the area -- including Ontario ARC -- partner with HWS students and professors as well as the community to share how the arts can impact people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  The event includes workshops, performances, classes and concludes with The ARTS Experience Gala.  Our own art specialist, Christin Lersch, even led one of workshops, Rain Barrel Painting which involved the creation of sustainable rain barrels that were painted.  It is truly a unique event for our area!

Here the final product of the above sail from the Sail Trail.  See what else we created during the festival on our Facebook page.