Art is timeless. From the beginning of recorded history, humans have used art to tell stories, share facts, and express emotions. In particular, visual art has been used for ages to share humanity—think prehistoric drawings in caves. And art is within us even before we realize what art is—crayons and paper are often the first medium toddlers have to express themselves.

Art is a bond among us. It connects us to other people and to our own feelings. At Awakening Minds Art, we believe everyone should have access to that connector. People of all ages and abilities can use art to think, feel, and enjoy life at Awakening Minds Art.

a certain breathing roomf o r t h e s p i r i t . ”

“What art offers is space —

—John Updike

Art is timeless…

Art is a bond among us…

AWAKENING MINDS ART A Case for Support

515 S. Main St, Findlay, OH 45840 • 419-302-3892 • AMA@awakeningmindsart.orgwww.awakeningmindsart.org • Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/awakeningminds.art

The mission at Awakening Minds Art (AMA) is to offer programming to individuals of all ages in the community with special needs or to those who have difficulty participating in group activities. Though we focus on serving people with special needs, we offer art programming to people of all ages and abilities. We welcome everyone!

AMA is unique because we don’t set limits. We are an inclusive organization and many people who participate in our programs and events do not have disabilities—they simply love art and creativity. AMA is an integrated art community. And while we love creating art and appreciate its beauty, art is more than just something pleasing to the eyes (though that’s important, too).

Creating art has total-body benefits for all of us including:

• Recreation

• Self-expression

• Communication

• Socialization

• Intellectualstimulation

• Emotionalwell-being

• Physicalbenefits

For children or adults with special needs, art can be a way to express feelings they otherwise have trouble conveying. Art also:

• Reinforcesmotorskills

• Teachesshapes,contrasts,boundaries, size, and spatial relationships

• Developsoral,tactile,visual,andsensory skills

“Jordan’s instructors teach her techniques to create beautiful art without any boundaries. For those 30 minutes each week, it’s almost as if she is disconnecting from her disability. The studio is a magical place for Jordan.” —Crystal Rinker

ABOUT AWAKENING MINDS ARTAwakeningMindsArtwasfoundedin2009byExecutiveDirector

SarahCrisp,whohasbeendoingtherapeuticartsforspecialneeds

since 2009. AMA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated

to providing purposeful and achievable arts activities. We receive

no funding from government organizations. We are not licensed

therapists. However, we will work with students to help them with

goals established by their therapists or teachers.

“If you hear a voice within you say ‘you cannot paint,’

MAKING THE CASE FOR ART

AWAKENING MINDS ART515S.MainSt,Findlay,OH45840

419-302-3892www.awakeningmindsart.org

AMA@awakeningmindsart.org Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/awakeningminds.art

“I personally love AMA and see the joy it brings Trevor and my other children that are involved. Trevor loves AMA because he is proud of what he accomplisheswhenheisthere.Helovestheone-on-oneinstructionandthegenuine love he receives from the instructors.” —Christi Mahler

“Jordan’s instructors teach her techniques to create beautiful art without any boundaries. For those 30 minutes each week, it’s almost as if she is disconnecting from her disability. The studio is a magical place for Jordan.” —Crystal Rinker

We want to silence the inner voice that tells people they cannot create, that they cannot contribute. Everyone has creativity to share. Art is thefocusatAMA,butouroutcomesarenotjustcreativeworks.Ouroutcomes are people who feel happier, healthier, and more accepted—art is the medium for transforming lives. We offer a number of programs that promote education and socialization including:

• One-on-oneprograms—focusontheneedsoftheindividual

• Groupprograms—focusonsocialization,followingdirections,andhaving fun

• SensoryStation&Shop—givesfamiliesideasofwhattheycandointheirownhomestocreateaSensoryStationtohelptheirspecialneedschild explore his or her sensations to improve gross motor skills and participate in daily activities such as holding a toothbrush

• HomeschoolArt—theprogramsfollowOhioStatestandardsandbenchmarks for the visual arts

• Athleticsprogramssuchasyogaandastretchandbalanceclass

• Paint&Partake—fromwinenightswithfriendstochildren’sbirthdaypartiestoworkteam-buildingevents,thisprogramallowspeopletocreate a work of art and enjoy refreshments all while making great connections with other people

then by all means paint and that voice will be silenced.” —Vincent Van Gogh

WHO ENJOYS AMA?Essentiallypeopleofallabilities,ages, and walks of life come to Awakening Minds Art. We serve children with special needs who experience challenges participating in other group activities. We also help seniors in nursing facilities who find it difficult to take part in group activities they used to be in. We engage professionals who want a fun, but constructive way to unwind from the stress of life.

Many “typical” people enjoy our programs, but our work is focused on serving people of all ages who may have autism, dementia, cerebral palsy, andDown’sSyndrome,amongotherchallenges.

Art knows no limitations and neither do we.

AMA PROGRAMS

AMA LOCATIONSOurmainartstudioislocatedat515S.Main

StreetinFindlay.Wealsoservestudentsin

LimaattheCentralChristianChurch,at525

W.NorthStreet,andwetraveltonursing

homesasfarasTiffin,Fostoria,St.Mary’s,

andotherlocationsinNorthwestOhio.

As a nonprofit organization that receives no government funding, we rely onthegenerosityofprivatedonorstohelpfundourprograms.ThePaint&PartakeProgramsarefee-for-service,butthemoneygeneratedfromthoseevents cannot fund our entire operation.

At this time our goal is to raise $100,000 to support programming and operations.Ourotherprogramsalsorequireafeetohelpcoverartsupplycosts, which are expensive. Unfortunately the fees do not cover all of our expenses. All of our families pay something toward their program fee, but manyofourfamiliesarelow-incomeandwetrytohelpthemattendclassesas much as we can, but we need your help.

Donationswillhelpuspayforexpensesandsupplies,butgiftsarenotjustbuyingpaintandmarkers.Donationsgivepeopleofallagesachancetoenhancetheirtotalphysical,mental,andemotionalwell-being.

A gift of $300 will provide a student with one art class per month for a year.

Your generosity will also help us as we plan for the future. Our goal is to expand Awakening Minds Art, which includes having our own facility in Lima and covering operating expenses—such as the executive director’s salary—that we currently cannot support.

“My company makes an annual contribution to AMA, and it’s the best money wespend,hands-down.JustseeingthepositiveimpactthatAMAmakesinourcommunity is so rewarding. They are truly an invaluable community member!” —Ken Cooper, AMA Board Member, Partner at Caretakers Home Health Services

SUPPORT FOR AWAKENING MINDS ART

THANK YOUF O R Y O U R

SU PPORT !

HOW YOU CAN HELP GIVE THE GIFT OF ARTWill you consider a gift to Awakening Minds Art? Your support will directly help people like Tristen, whose parents cametoAMAwhentheirinsurancewouldnolongerpayforoccupationaltherapy.AMAsetupaSensoryStationforTristen,whohasaSensoryProcessingDisorder.Tristen’sMomsayshisconfidencehasincreasedgreatlyandheisnowopen to trying new activities with other kids like baseball and martial arts.

OryourgiftmighthelpsomeonelikeHelen,whoisaresidentatanursinghome.Shewassoproudofherartandsaid, “I’m just happy I finally did something right!”

Financial contributions of all sizes will help us reach our goal of $100,000. There is no such thing as a small gift, and we’re excited to work with you to put your donation toward the need you want to impact most. Perhaps you want to provide a scholarship for a family or simply buy art supplies for a specific class—whatever your passion is—we’re here to make sure your gift makes a difference in a way that is special to you. All gifts are tax-exempt to the fullest extent of the tax code.ContactExecutiveDirectorSarahCrispat419-302-3892orAMA@awakeningmindsart.orgtodiscuss what giving option is best for you.

AWAKENING MINDS ART515S.MainSt,Findlay,OH45840419-302-3892www.awakeningmindsart.org AMA@awakeningmindsart.org Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/awakeningminds.art