The information about the program on the website states:
‘ArtSpeak works with the students’ individual expression of creativity, reinforcing their accomplishments with positive statements throughout the art activity. The ArtSpeak program is an integrated blend of art and verbal communication. ArtSpeak brings various materials for the students to use, such as pastels, paints and clay. ArtSpeak operates inside the students’ classroom making it conducive for the students to feel safe and be familiar with their environment.’
More information can be found on their website here.
Below is a video that shows the many children who have taken part in this enrichment program and you can see some of the beautiful artwork that has been produced.
Having read about this innovative and creative program, we contacted Nina Jones the creative director of ArtSpeak. Nina has a degree in communications from the College Of Arts and Sciences at The University of Florida. She has worked for over 30 years within mental health and for 7 years at The Foundation For Lee County Schools, Inc. She has been an artist all of her life. We were lucky enough to be able to ask her a few questions via email.
Can you explain to us exactly what ArtSpeak is?
ArtSpeak is an enrichment program designed to be highly individualized for each child on the spectrum. It is a program that uses ongoing verbal communication and praise from the instructor during the process of creating. While there can be an art theme in mind from the instructor, the child has the autonomy to take it to where and what they are visualizing. The instructor brings in the art materials into the classroom. Pending on the child’s capabilities, ArtSpeak can be implemented from one on one, hand over hand to small groups. I have designed projects that allow for self-confidence and success regardless of where most children are on the spectrum. There have been numerous moments where some children that only speak once in a while start to increase their verbal communication during ArtSpeak. Often children experience anxiety during the school day, compound these issues twofold at times for children with ASD. ArtSpeak often has a calming and positive effect for the children. I create my ideas that allows Art Speak to become a visual language. The element of fun and relaxation is part of the process. So many times the child will look up from what they’re doing, I will smile, nod my head and they will take off making something beautiful.
Prior to working at The Foundation For Lee County Schools, Inc., I worked at our city’s mental health center for numerous years. I worked with chronic adults, foster care children, in home counselling and during my last years there, special needs children in the school system, so all of the schools could be served for children that needed group counselling. Somehow in each job, I would at times use my art to connect. I designed the group outreach program for special needs children for our school system. I ran small groups in several schools. It was very successful. Many of the schools with special needs students did not receive the service as it was just myself doing this program. The school system decided to implement the program instead of a contract with our mental health center.
Knowing I would soon be leaving, I sat down one night at home and I started to ask myself what type of program I could create based on my past experience. During the last two years of running groups, I was getting more and more referrals of high functioning children with ASD. Using my art as a way to relax the children while discussing issues, the children with autism would create their art on another level. Other students would praise them…it was very empowering for them. That night I wrote the concept and called it ArtSpeak.
After I wrote the concept, a dear friend and well known artist, Darryl Pottorf brought it to Robert Rauschenberg’s attention. He loved the concept. Shortly after R.R. passed, I received a call from the R.F. Foundation saying that this was R.R’s request and it would be funded as a 5 year grant. I chose the Foundation for Lee County Public Schools Inc. to take the program under their non-profit organization. It was a wonderful choice. Mr. Bower, our CEO made the transition into the school system for ArtSpeak, smooth and positive.
The grant ended after the fulfilled 5 years almost two years ago. The schools, children, administrators and parents love the program. The community currently got together to come up with funding during an event, to take it to this June. Currently a health food market, Ada’s stepped forward to help, however we need more sponsors and donations to keep it going.
How are the children referred to the program? Do they need to meet a certain criteria?
The beauty of ArtSpeak is that it is not a treatment program rather it’s an enrichment program. Every year I get together with the Autism Dept. at our school system and we decide on 5 schools with an autism population. Every year we come up with different schools, although some schools love it so much they ask for another year. There are no referrals; rather I serve the students with ASD from pre-K up in the schools planned for that year.
How often do the children access ArtSpeak and how big are the class sizes?
Every school has one day a week and every class has a set schedule when I arrive. The class size varies from 9 to 13 students.
In all of my years in mental health, I have never seen more progress in such a short period of time than with this program. While it is not a therapy program, the results are amazing, I mean it. Within the framework of being in the classroom (that was Marshall Bower, my CEO’s idea) these children start to blossom. So many times they run to the teacher to show their work. This positive feeling they experience transcends into their next responsibility in school. They always say “can I take it home?” Many times, children refuse to touch different art materials. After a couple of months, they are not even phased if paint, glue, glitter gets on them. During ArtSpeak, they problem solve, come up with great ideas … and smile, lots of smiles.
Is ArtSpeak incorporated into the rest of the child’s curriculum?
No, it is not a part of their curriculum as it is not a part of their treatment plan, however the teacher schedules a set time for the program.
What feedback have you received from parents and indeed teachers?
I have so many testimonials from teachers, parents, autism administrators and the children through the years. I have every one of them.
I never imagined how effective and wonderful this special program is. I am so passionate about ArtSpeak. If we don’t find more funding, this program will end in June. My passion would be for it to continue. If this program found more funding, I could train others, that’s really my dream. This program is universal, it has no language boundaries.
If anyone is interested in knowing more about the program regarding on how to donate or obtain further information, this information can be found on the ArtSpeak website. http://www.leeschoolfoundation.org/programs/stuprograms/sp-artspeak/index.php
We would very much like to thank Nina for taking the time out of her busy schedule to chat with us. We wish ArtSpeak great success and look forward to catching up with them again soon.