Art can act as a therapeutic tool for many people. Most importantly, art is a way of expressing one’s creative side. KindTree-Autism Rocks, is a non-profit organization based out of Eugene, Oregon that helps individuals with disabilities though art and community. One of their programs, STiLe, consists of a jewelry expressions class that occurs every Monday. The students who attend make their own jewelry for fun or to sell.
KindTree-Autism Rocks, a non-profit organization in Eugene, Oregon, is dedicated to serving individuals with disabilities through art and community. One of their programs includes a jewelry expressions class, which aims to encourage both visual and performance art for individuals experiencing disabilities.
The program coordinator of the jewelry class, Molly Elliott, admires the beaded work of a necklace made by a student. “I’m always in awe,” says Elliott.
Molly Elliott adds the finishing touch to a completed necklace, which will hopefully be sold. Many of the students sell their jewelry to friends and family, or on commerce websites such as Etsy.
The mission statement of the STiLE program hangs in the classroom. One of the main goals is to promote activities to enhance the lives of people with autism.
“It’s giving people a voice,” says Molly Elliot when talking about the importance of selling the students’ jewelry as artists, rather than artists with disabilities. For Molly, it’s important to recognize that the students are artists first, and their disability does not define them.
