MTC ART GALLERY

The Bay in Bloom

A group show by the artists of the Artful Steps program at
Stepping Stones Growth Center

Through August 31, 2006

About the Program

The Artful Steps Program in San Leandro teaches developmentally disabled adults methods for self-expression through the visual arts. The goal of Artful Steps is to enhance individuals’ self-esteem and independence, as well as artistic ability.

Classes are designed to allow the artists opportunities to explore and experiment with various media. Instruction in painting ranges from learning to stretch and paint canvases to still-life watercolor techniques. During Friday’s sculpture class, students learn to work with clay and papier-maché, and currently have been creating beautifully intricate mosaics.

Artful Steps also teaches art history — each month students learn about an artist’s lifework that made an impact on the art world and society. We dedicate a project to our “Famous Artist of the Month” by utilizing his or her groundbreaking style and medium.

Each month a visiting artist dedicates a class to their specialty, such as photography. The visiting artists help expose the students to new ideas and inspire them to pursue their creative interests.

About the Show

Although the artists of Artful Steps are scattered throughout the East Bay, each individual enters our studios inspired by the beauty of life around us. During and after our long, rainy winter, a common theme emerged in the artists’ work: flowers. The work in this show represents hope through the beauty we see in our daily life. From large, vivid abstract paintings to intricate embroidery, the work embodies the joy of living in the Bay Area.

For More Information

Artful Steps is a nonprofit program that is funded by the Regional Center of the East Bay and supported by individual donors. We operate within Stepping Stones Growth Center, which has been serving persons with disabilities in the East Bay since 1975. For more information, or to purchase a piece, contact Missy Hatley, Artful Steps director, at 510.568.3331, ext. 2621, or MTC Art Coordinator Brenda Kahn, 510.817.5773, bkahn@mtc.ca.gov.