"EP!Casso History"

The EP!C staff members managing this project have college degrees in Art Education, Fine Arts, and Recreational Therapy. They also have a total of 36 years of experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities and have the knowledge and expertise necessary to adapt art activities to meet the needs of participants of varying abilities.  EP!C has been offering formal art classes since 2008, when a grant from the Community Foundation for the Creative Legacy project was awarded.  This project to teach painting techniques to seniors with disabilities was the catalyst that marked the beginning of EP!C’s art program.  The project was so beneficial for the individuals participating that EP!C has continued to expand art offerings ever since!    In 2011, EP!C converted a classroom into a permanent art studio.

A collaboration in 2012 between EP!C and Pearce Gallery in Dunlap resulted in the first ever show of work produced by EP!C artists.  EP!C individuals were thrilled to see their original works of art on display, and for sale, in the community. EP!C has also collaborated with a number of local art studios where EP!C students completed projects, including Wheel Art Pottery Studio, the Art Garage, and Created Just By Me Pottery and Art Studio.  The late Mike Pozar, a local artist, provided painting instruction to EP!C artists.  Volunteers from the community and service organizations, like AmeriCorps, volunteer in the art classroom on a regular basis.

This program aligns within the CFCI element of "Art Integration" by providing a typically under served population with a better quality of life through education and exploration in the visual arts.

In 2013, EP!C was fortunate to be awarded a Community Arts Grant from Community Foundation of Central Illinois to help expand its existing art project, EP!Casso, to provide the individuals in the Educational Services program greater opportunities for learning, self-expression and personal growth through original art and various media forms.  Daily art classes where held, serving 108 individuals to date, who explored the following technique

In 2014, EP!C would like to further enhance the EP!Casso project by adding new art offerings.  Art classes would again be offered daily, serving 120 individuals with developmental disabilities over the course of a year.  In addition to ongoing art projects, participants would continue to learn about art history, color and composition, and the principles of design.  Participants would also get to explore other art techniques and forms of media currently not offered.  Participants will also have the opportunity to experience art in the community through visits to museums, art galleries and art shows, and have opportunities to display their art in the community. 

Printmaking is a medium that is easily managed by individuals with limited strength and mobility, and is a favorite activity.  At the present time, EP!C’s ability to offer print making has been limited to the use of Styrofoam food trays etched with images and then hand pressed onto paper.  This method is extremely inefficient, images produced are of lower quality, and Styrofoam breaks down over multiple impressions.   EP!Casso  would like to purchase a professional etching press to explore relief print making techniques using linoleum tiles.  Ongoing expenses of the EP!Casso Art program are supported by sales of artwork in the community.  By having a professional press and materials in-house, individuals will be able to gain a much clearer insight into print making techniques, mass produce high quality work at a considerable savings, and be able to sustain the program through increasing sales revenue.                        

The EP!Casso project serves 120 adults ages 22 – 93 with disabilities ranging in severity from mild to profound, and with diagnoses of cerebral palsy, autism, epilepsy and Down’s Syndrome.  Many individuals also have very significant physical challenges, vision or hearing disabilities, or mental illness.   Many individuals are wheelchair users or require adaptive equipment and/or staff assistance to fully participate in art activities.  Art therapy provides many benefits for people with developmental disabilities:

• Art provides a new language for the verbally challenged and helps develop the use of symbols as tools for communication.
• Art is a fun way to develop cognitive skills including, improvement of memory, prioritization, planning, and organization.
• Art enhances self-esteem and self-awareness.
• Art helps people identity and express their emotions and feelings
• Art activities help improve fine motor skills
• Art provides a healthy outlet for anger and frustration.

"Cooking Class" by Brad Johnson

Individuals at EP!C have really been enjoying the Cooking classes we have started this past year.  The new Kitchen classroom host four classes per day on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays .  These classes are taught by long time EP!C staff member, Bev Kincaid.   Bev is great at working with our individuals and helping them learn new skills (and she has plenty of experience at it- Bev has been with EP!C for 35 years!)  In Cooking class the individuals make simple recipes, work on learning the names of all the common kitchen utensils and appliances with the help of visual aids, they learn about kitchen safety and cleanliness, discuss nutrition, the food pyramid and healthy food choices.  The participants also look at restaurant menus, talk about healthy choices when going out to eat and tell stories about fun dining experiences or favorite foods their families make.  The cooking classes have also helped out making muffins and cupcakes for meetings and conferences,  cakes for birthday parties, cookies for holiday parties, and snacks for special events like our annual EP!C “Walk -N- Roll for Life” Breast Cancer walk.  And the best thing is, after they make their recipes, everybody gets a taste.  Bev always likes to remind her classes to make sure their hands are clean and to give thanks before eating.  The EP!C Family would like to give a big thank you to Bev for all she has done for our individuals over the past 35 years and especially for making Cooking class such a fun experience for everyone!

- Brad Johnson

EP!C's Spring Bling Dance, by Brad Johnson

Wow!... It took a long time planning and a lot of hard work, but when EPIC’s Educational Services Spring Bling Prom 2014 finally arrived, it was a huge success.  We had over 100 individuals dressed to the nines, dancing up a storm and having one heck of a good time. Things got off to a exciting start as everyone made their way down the red carpet, through the fancy balloon arch, under the disco ball and posed for photos.  Then everyone gathered around the dance floor for some super cool ballroom dancing presentations of the Fox Trot, Swing and Tango by Stanzia & Hal Weatherford, Ray & Rita Martin, and Greg & Kathy Fenton from the “Just for Fun” dance group.  Next, DJ Mike Cheeseman cranked up the dance tunes and everybody hit the dance floor to boogie down to some bumpin dance music.  The Prom Court was introduced, followed by the crowning of Prom King and Queen- Teddy K. and Nancy R.  If there has been an award for best dressed, it would have had to have gone to Marcus on the guys’ side, with his brand spankin new bright purple suit.  And for the ladies, it would have had to be a tie all around- all the girls looked simply fabulous in their dazzling formal dresses with their make-up and hair all done up exquisitely by Activities Coordinator Phoebe Johnson and a wonderful group of volunteer beauty ladies.  (A huge THANK YOU to Country Bride in Peoria and Threads of Hope and Love in Washington for donating the snazzy formal wear!)  Everyone enjoyed the delicious Italian dinner and deserts then hit the dance floor once again to dance til they could dance no more… There are so many people to thank for helping make this special event such a wonderful experience-  An extra special thanks to Angie Frailey, Sharon Webster and Catherine Tolliver and to all of the EPIC staff at the Townline building who helped out.  Not to mention the staff at all the residential sites for their help in getting people ready, as well as all the parents, family, friends and individuals from our other departments that volunteered to help with so many aspects of the event such as decorating, escorting, taking photos, tearing down, etc, etc… There were so many happy smiles, joyous dance moves, and priceless photo-ops to make memories that will be with us all for a long, long time… It was truly an “EPIC” day to remember…

- Brad Johnson.