Villa Montalvo is hosting a special exhibition of artwork by the clients of Zonta Services and Hope Rehabilitation Services of San Jose.
The Artshop Project includes multimedia sculptures, masks, paintings, puppets and drawings to be displayed at the Gallery at Montalvo Aug. 23 and 24. An opening reception will be held on Fri., Aug. 23 from 1 to 4 p.m. Public viewing on Saturday will be 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The artwork is a product of a three-month series of hands-on arts workshops presented to the clients of Hope and Zonta by artists and art therapists chosen by Montalvo.
Hope Rehabilitation Services of San Jose provides support and education for developmentally disabled youth and adults. Zonta Services of San Jose provides educational and behavioral services for special-needs children and their families.
The Artshop Project underscores Villa Montalvo's mission to provide access to the visual and performing arts to those who may not have had such experience in the past, said Toni Stone, arts coordinator.
The Artshop Project is funded by a grant from Hewlett-Packard Co.
Among the exhibitors is Ethan, 6, a client of Zonta Services, who has been expelled from more schools than he has had birthdays. Sometimes Ethan (not his real name) stays wrapped in silence just staring for hours.
"The purpose of the project is to use the visual and performing arts to provide a means of expression for disabled children, teenagers and seniors," Stone said.
Hope coordinator Katie Magleby said, "Art provides individuals with physical, mental, social and emotional skills. Artistic freedom is in itself therapeutic."
This article appeared in the Saratoga News, August 21, 1996.
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