The River Gallery School of Art has received funding from The Wolf Kahn and Emily Mason Foundation, The Vermont Community Foundation, Ben & Jerry’s Foundation, The Anne Slade Frey Fund, and the Windham Foundation to continue their Art for Social Change Program. The program, which started in 2019 focuses on the healing aspects of art and mindfulness for marginalized populations, community caregivers and the general public. The emphasis of these classes, offered free of charge, is not on art technique but offering an opportunity to play with art materials in a relaxed, supportive environment.
The process of making art offers a path toward well being. These sessions, in our experience, offer not only a sense of calm and a creative outlet for people in stressful situations, but also build a sense of voice and belonging among the group, and self-confidence in the individuals.
This year River Gallery School is partnering with The Boys and Girls Club, Youth Services, The Root Social Justice Center, Turning Point of Windham County and Brattleboro Area Hospice to help reach a broader base of our local community. Anyone who is a community caregiver (therapist, nurse, EMT, provides direct social services) or a family caregiver for an ill or disabled family member is welcome to join our Caregivers series. The offerings for this Winter and Spring are as follows:
Free Art Class for Youth with Julia Zanes
Sponsored by River Gallery School
At The Boys and Girls Club
February 4 – March 24, 2020
Tuesdays 5-7pm
Drop Ins Welcome
Free Painting Class for People in Recovery
At River Gallery School, 32 Main St
February 13 – April 2, 2020
Thursdays 5-7pm
Drop Ins Welcome
Free Youth for Social Change Art Class (12-18)
Creating public art ‘paste ups’
At River Gallery School, 32 Main St
February 25 – April 14, 2020
Tuesdays, 5-7pm
Drop Ins Welcome
Free Exploring Grief through Art
(for people in the grieving process)
Using printmaking
At River Gallery School, 32 Main St
March 2 – March 23, 2020
Mondays 9:30-12:30
Please register at office@rivergalleryschool.org
Free Meditation and Art Class
For Community and Family Caregivers
At River Gallery School, 32 Main St
April 10th – May 29, 2020
Fridays 9:30-11:30
Please register at office@rivergalleryschool.org
Free Art Workshop for Community and Family Caregivers: Felting Beads
Friday, February 28
10-Noon at River Gallery School, 32 Main St
Drop Ins Welcome
Free Art Workshop for Community and Family Caregivers: Watercolor
Wednesday, March 25
10-Noon at River Gallery School, 32 Main St
Drop Ins Welcome
Free Art Workshop for Community and Family Caregivers: Collage
Saturday, April 11
1-3pm at River Gallery School, 32 Main St
Drop Ins Welcome
Free Art Workshop for Community and Family Caregivers: Using a Sketchbook
Saturday, May 2
1-3pm at River Gallery School, 32 Main St
Drop Ins Welcome
Free Art Workshop for Community
and Family Caregivers: Oil Painting
Saturday, June 6
1-3pm at River Gallery School, 32 Main St
Drop Ins Welcome
Look out for upcoming information on our continued free offerings at Brooks Memorial Library this Spring. For more information about any of these upcoming programs or to join an email list for upcoming art classes, please contact Jess Weitz, program coordinator, at jess@rivergalleryschool.org or call River Gallery School at (802) 257-1577.
