If you are interested in supporting We Care Arts, please contact:
Terry Schalnat, tschalnat@wecarearts.org  or Pat Maple, pmaple@wecarearts.org
or call 252-3937.

Ceramics Program
When clients 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 below.

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

Computer Lab
For many of our clients, 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 TRANSFER S. 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!” TEA CHER S 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 below.

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 Program
Stitching. Quilting. Making embroidered pieces... There’s almost no limit to what can be made as our clients 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. TEACHER S 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 below.

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 Program
The wood shop is located in the back of our facility which is fitting because it is a strong backbone of what we do. All the kits and wood products that are painted each day are cut and built right on the premises. We are able to develop ideas and perfect them with the team of volunteers and workers in the woodshop. They provide us with all the parts and pieces needed to keep the artists painting. The manufacturing, assembly and final finish spraying is done in the woodshop. When a piece is complete and brought back out for display, the sense of pride and ownership from the artist is fantastic. They love to show their friends and family what they created.

Visiting Artist Program
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 artist wants to keep their creation. The artwork is sometimes displayed in a traveling exhibit. A yearly calendar is also produced from this Visiting Artist Series. The visiting artists, caught up in the creative and loving ambiance of WCA, often 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. For more gift-giving options, see the operating costs below.

Traveling Artist Program
If the client can’t come to us, we go to them, with our TRAVELING ARTIST PROGRAM. Clients 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 below.

High School Transition to Work Program
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. They ride public transportation to the Wilmington facility, learn to follow directions, sit together, make something that has a sequence, and finally, completing a task. The first reward is a dawning sense of success and accomplishment. The rewards become even 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 and Belmont.

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 below.

Art Café
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 clients make flags or murals; another week they create jewelry or craft ceramic bowls. Another week they might PAIN T 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 TEACHER S share the duties of planning and teaching the weekly activities. They enjoy the challenge of designing projects that guarantee success for the clients and creating an accepting, environment that encourages creativity.

Your gift can be designated for the Art Café. Your $15,000 donation will help keep this program in operation for an entire year. For more gift-giving options, see the Art Café Operating Costs chart below.

Art Class Support
This would help our regular weekly Art Classes.