Ceramics

When client-artists work with CLAY, they are not just building artwork, they are building additional skills. The hand-building process strengthens hand muscles and can be calming. Folding and pounding clay to remove air bubbles provides an appropriate way to vent frustration. Waiting for clay pieces to dry helps develop patience. And, that exciting moment when the KILN is unloaded provides clients with a sense of accomplishment.

The Ceramic Studio is one of our most costly programs. Kilns are kept in a separate room for safety purposes and are costly to run. Along with the clay, GLAZES, BRUSHES and other SUPPLIES are needed. And, TEACHERS are needed to provide essential information and ensure safety.

Your gift can be designated for the Ceramic Studio. Your $17,088 donation will help keep the studio operational for an entire year. For more gift-giving options, see the operating costs chart to the right.

Our Gift Shop features ceramic food-safe and decorative items made by our clients. The sale of these pieces provides an income for the client-artist.

Computer Lab

For many of our client-artists, rehabilitation begins with a COMPUTER. Whether their first step is scanning an original drawing, or drawing directly into a SOFTWARE program, the computer allows them to be in control. Many find the computer mouse is easier and less intimidating to work with than a brush. They can manipulate images and colors, add words and poetry, and print onto IRON ON TRANSFERS. Computer creativity allows them to overcome their physical limitations. The excitement of an artist actually seeing the work printed is contagious. “Look at this” you’ll hear, “I made that!” TEACHERS are right there to take the mystery out of programs and problems.

Your gift can be designated for the Computer Lab. Your $8,400 donation will help keep the lab operational for an entire year.
For more gift-giving options, see the operating costs chart to the right.

The Gift Shop features cards, shirts, and framed and decorated original writings made by our artist clients with the aid of computers.
The sale of these pieces provides an income for the artist client.

Sewing

Stitching. Quilting. Making embroidered pieces... There’s almost no limit to what can be made as our client artists and teachers learn more about our new INDUSTRIAL EMBROIDERY MACHINE. The atmosphere is as warm and supportive as an old fashioned quilting bee. Quietly and comfortably, problem solving skills develop and social skills improve. TEACHERS untangle THREADS and BOBBINS and problems that are less easy to identify.

Your gift can be designated for the Sewing Studio. Your $7,500 donation will help keep the studio operational for an entire year. For more gift-giving options, see the operating costs to the right.

The Gift Shop brims with handbags, table runners with matching place mats and napkins; aprons, baby gear, blankets, doggie jackets and tote bags.

Wood Shop

The WOOD SHOP is the backbone and basis of all the painted products made by the client-artists at We Care Arts. The big, bright shop is filled with technically skilled and well trained people. Every single piece of WOOD is cut and built in this busy room at the back of the Berkeley Center on Wilmington. New ideas are developed and perfected by competent teams of volunteers and workers. Proper EQUIPMENT makes sure dust, sawdust and spray residue are correctly vented. TEACHERS hold a slightly different position in the wood shop, as every one who uses any of the equipment must have passed an instruction program and test on each machine.
Our “pros” have years of experience and offer advice about construction and assembly.

Your gift can be designated for the Wood Shop. Your $31,512 donation will help keep this program in operation for an entire year. For more gift-giving options, see the operating costs chart to the right.

Visitng Artists

Once or twice a month, PROFESSIONAL ARTISTS who specialize in a particular medium, share a hands-on workshop with our client artists. All active participants are invited to enjoy a new experience and create a new product. These may be offered for sale in the Gift Shop, but often each client-artist wants to keep their own creation. The artwork is often displayed in a traveling exhibit. A yearly calendar is also produced from the Visiting Artist Series. Many of the visiting artists get caught up in the creative and loving ambiance of We Care Arts and return year after year.

Your gift can be designated for the Visiting Artist Series. Your $4,260 donation will help keep these workshops operational for an entire year. F or more gift-giving options, see the operating costs to the right.

Community Outreach

If the client-artist can’t come to us, we go to them, with our TRAVELING ARTIST PROGRAM. Client artists who have such severe disabilities that transportation to our facilities is difficult benefit from this innovative program. We currently serve teens with serious disabilities and behavioral issues through the Montgomery County Educational Services, clients with dementia or Alzheimer’s through a day program at Shiloh House, and students at Stebbins High School. TEACHERS have developed a fundamental curriculum for DRAWING, PAINTING, FIBER ARTS and CERAMICS.
MUSIC is often used, as well.

Your gift can be designated for Community Outreach. Your $21,900 donation will help keep the our Community Outreach program operational for an entire year. For more gift-giving options, see the operating costs chart to the right.

Youth Programs

The TRANSITION TO WORK Program was developed with input from participating high school Work-Study teachers. LIFE AND JOB SKILLS, both social and task-oriented, develop as students are encouraged to take on new responsibilities. Some ride public transportation to the Wilmington facility, learn to follow directions, work together, create a piece of art that requires sequence, and complete a task. The client-artist’s reward is a dawning sense of success and accomplishment. The rewards become more tangible when they take their products into the community to market and sell. This expanding program meets twice a week. Currently served are Centerville, Fairmont, Stivers, Stebbins and Belmont high schools.

Your gift can be designated for the Transition to Work Program. Your $16,600 donation will help keep this program in operation for an entire year. For more gift-giving options, see the operating costs chart to the right.

Art Cafe

A weekly drop-in class for special needs young adults and teens, the Art Café is a place for them to meet, socialize and create art.

Art Café features a new art project each week. One week the client-artists make flags or murals; another week they may create jewelry or craft ceramic bowls. Another week they might PAINT or do PLASTER CASTING. Whatever the project, the young adults and teens who attend Art Café know they’ll always find SNACKS, music, fun, camaraderie and acceptance.

WE CARE ARTS TEACHERS share the duties of planning and teaching the weekly activities. They enjoy the challenge of designing projects that guarantee success for the client-artists and creating an accepting, environment that encourages creativity.