July is Disability Pride Month!
This Disability Pride Month, Clay Art Center recognizes the achievements and experiences of our students living with disabilities.
Disability Pride Month is observed each July in celebration and recognition of the importance of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which passed into law on July 26, 1990. The month serves as an opportunity to highlight disability culture, history, and community pride, and to challenge the false narrative that people with disabilities need to conform to norms to lead meaningful lives. Classes at Clay Art Center - whether through community programming or in one-on-one classes - create engaging and accessible opportunities for people with disabilities to work with clay. This work would not be possible without the dedication of supportive teachers and our community partners.
One of those teachers is Jeanne Carreau, who has been teaching and making at Clay Art Center for more than 25 years. Jeanne currently teaches beginner and intermediate wheel courses, as well as classes for students with disabilities and private lessons for adults and children. Over the course of her career, Jeanne has worked with students from all walks of life, and she notes that it’s the diversity of our clay community that makes it so strong: “Clay Art Center brings people together to share the joy of working with clay. Age, education, economic status, race, nationality, language spoken, orientation, ability or disability don't matter as we work side by side to master the challenges clay presents and support each other's creative process. Over the years, I've taught students with autism, cerebral palsy, MS, ALS, Parkinson's, seizure disorder, cognitive disabilities and those recovering from behavioral health conditions. I've witnessed them seamlessly ‘fit in’ our community. Some have told me that this is a rare opportunity for them to make friends based on a common interest not a common diagnosis. It may also be a rare opportunity for them to express their creativity. They are among Clay Art Center's most enthusiastic learners.” As Jeanne notes, clay classes provide more than just an opportunity to express creativity; they help students fight isolation and find new connections.
No matter how much I pass onto my students, I always get back more than I give. Figuring out how to teach new processes to a student with a cognitive disability gives me better ways to communicate with all students. Problem solving how a student with weak muscle tone or coordination challenges can move clay effectively benefits all students. This diversity and inclusivity makes Clay Art Center my happy place.
Below are photos of Jeanne and two of her regular students, Richie and Surya.
Even with our amazing teachers, Clay Art Center couldn’t offer the wide range of classes or make the impact it does without help from the broader community. The Community Arts team here at Clay Art Center is proud to partner with local organizations to offer engaging ceramics classes to people of all ages with mental, physical, and developmental disabilities. Just in the past year, we have
Run classes at SPARC in White Plains and Yorktown, an organization focused on providing social, therapeutic recreational, art, athletic, and wellness programs for school-aged to senior individuals with mental and developmental disabilities. Their programs, including clay classes, focus on developing new abilities, making friends, and connecting with others in their community.
Led a four-week-long class at VISIONS at Selis Manor in New York City, working with adults with visual impairment. VISIONS/Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired is a nonprofit rehabilitation and social service organization whose purpose is to develop and implement programs to assist people of all ages who are blind or visually impaired to lead independent and active lives in their homes and communities.
Organized a clay workshop for ArTech Collective, an artist collective that works with individuals with mental, physical, or developmental disabilities and provides opportunities for artists to develop and express themselves creatively through inclusive, innovative, and accessible approaches to a variety of traditional and new media.
HOPE House of Port Chester finished up their spring session last month. HOPE House is a place where people recovering from behavioral health conditions find the support and resources they need to pursue their goals and dreams, emphasizing the abilities and talents of its members and concentrating on wellness, recovery, and opportunities.
Worked with the Port Chester Special Citizens to offer a day of clay for adults with disabilities in the Summer Camp program. Special Citizens exists to provide home, family, care, and love to men, women, and children living with autism, intellectual disabilities, and developmental disabilities.
Hosted a special needs group from Barbara's House for a one-time class. Barbara's House’s Special Needs Groups program serves young people and adults with developmental disabilities by providing a consistent and safe environment where group members can socialize and discuss personal issues.
Clay Art Center is committed to fostering an environment that is inclusive and accessible, where every student feels valued and empowered. Every individual here contributes uniquely to our vibrant ceramics community, and Clay Art Center is proud to be the artistic home of so many creative individuals of all ages, backgrounds, and ability levels.
