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Iris Network Collaborates with SPIRAL Arts, Unum in Arts Program
The arts are for everyone. And the experience of creating art is also for everyone. People with disabilities, including vision loss, sometimes focus their efforts on managing the basics of life—on becoming and being safe, independent, and productive in their areas of priority. These are tremendous goals for any human being to achieve. But recreational activities are also very important, with a unique capacity to strengthen the sense of self. Creative arts, in particular, can bring to people with vision loss powerful new options for adventure, joy, fulfillment, learning and communicating with others.
In spring 2008, with the support of Unum, the Margaret E. Burnham Charitable Trust, and the Edward H. Daveis Benevolent Fund, the Iris Network will partner with SPIRAL Arts, Inc. to design and implement creative arts workshops for people with vision loss. In spring and summer 2009, we will hold the workshops in diverse Maine locations. By 2010, we will have made the creative arts for people with vision loss available across our state, continuing to conduct workshops and integrating the creative arts into our core program, Vision Rehabilitation Services. Over the next two years, the Iris Network will share this new comprehensive arts initiative and its outcomes with vision rehabilitation professionals in our region and beyond.
Partnership for the Arts With some estimates indicating that there are approximately 38,000 people with vision loss in Maine, this program has the potential to open up the unique world of artistic creation for many. The Iris Network is delighted to partner with SPIRAL Arts, Inc. in this endeavor. Founded in 1992, SPIRAL Arts is a small non-profit based in Portland that works statewide to expand the availability and accessibility of the arts for all individuals. Classes include painting, collage, clay sculpture, dance, poetry, acting, basketry, urban gardening, and more.
Project Timeline The creative arts program will take off in March 2008, when our staff and SPIRAL Arts instructors will select and adapt artistic projects for people with vision loss. The 2008 workshops will meet once a week for eight weeks in May and June. During this time, we will also work with SPIRAL Arts to develop a curriculum for integrating the creative arts into Iris Network program services. If you would like to participate in our spring 2008 workshop or are interested in learning more about new options in the creative arts with The Iris Network, please call Ruth at 774-6273. We thank our partners for their support of this exciting project. To support innovative programs that make a life-changing difference for people who are visually impaired or blind, please consider a bequest or other provision on behalf of The Iris Network in your will. Please contact our development office for more information
The longest running ski area in Maine, Shawnee Peak is truly “Your Maine Mountain!” Fun for all members of the family, Shawnee Peak is home to the most night skiing in New England and the best values in Maine. Big, beautiful and just one hour from Portland, 20 minutes east of North Conway and 2˝ hours from Boston, Shawnee Peak offers more than 40 trails, 19 lit for night skiing, four gladed areas of all ability levels, two terrain parks, a 400' half pipe, five lifts, 98 percent snowmaking and an unprecedented big-mountain experience combined with small-town friendliness and value. The Iris Network will receive 10% of all ticket sales sold between 9am-3pm on February 7th. Hope to see you there! For more info, contact Alison @ 774-6273 or akeegan@theiris.org
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