I recently spent some time at the Center for Self Expression in Oneonta, taking art classes. The center is a program of The Arc Otsego.
Perhaps you've driven by and noticed it?
As you enter downtown Oneonta across the viaduct over the train tracks, look to your left. On the corner a huge, happy sun face greets your arrival to the city. Other murals decorate the windows.
Beyond, inside the center's Main View Gallery, there are paintings, jewelry, sculpture and more on display. It is an inviting, open space that beckons the curious to explore.
The center provides opportunities for self-expression through visual, performing, media and literary arts to individuals with developmental disabilities. They have on-site instructors as well as professional teaching artists that provide instruction.
The center's classroom space and its Main View Gallery are at the heart of the program. Through partnerships with community organizations and businesses, clients can also choose from a menu of off-site opportunities, such as clay classes, library visits or yoga.
The philosophy, according to Director Hugh Timoney, is that well-rounded individuals enjoy a variety of activities and students at the Center and are no exception to the rule. Programs are available to people with varying abilities who qualify. Clients may come from Pathfinder Village, Springbrook, private homes and, of course, The Arc Otsego residences.
On my first day at the center, I took a morning art class taught by Zena Gurbo, who is the center's head art instructor. Zena used to work at the Arts Council, managing our arts education program. I have always believed that Zena is the most gifted of art teachers. Magic happens when she spends time with students.
It is clear that everyone has a great affection for Zena at the Center. When the students arrive they greet her with a chorus of, "Zena!" "Hi Zena!" "Zena Patina!" "Hi Patina!"
"Patina?" I asked.
"That's my nickname," Zena laughed.
The first half-hour is loosely organized chaos, with everyone visiting each other, putting away coats, putting on smocks and hugging Zena hello. She takes the time to fix one woman's earrings, while another student hugs her around the waist.
I sit at the table waiting for class to begin. Of course, everyone wants to know who the new girl is. Students at the center greet me warmly, excited to tell me about their artwork. They are pleased that I am writing about them.
I receive several tours of the gallery. Clients show me their paintings, their sculpture and their jewelry, much of which has been sold. The gallery operates just like any other professional exhibition space.
The center receives a 50 percent commission on the sale of work from the Main View Gallery, which it uses to help fund future classes and workshops. They also pay artists a stipend for the use of their images on T-shirts, mugs and other promotional items.
Class eventually begins. On this day we are block printing. Zena shows us how to carve images into plastic foam blocks and transfer the images by painting over the block and pressing it onto the paper.
As a child, crayons and construction paper were my friends. In college, a sketch pad was always nearby. I never used to worry. The joy of learning and creating were quite good enough. These days, I just become uncomfortable in an art studio. I am self-conscious and anxious about my lack of skill. My confidence is diminished.
At the center, there is no anxiety. The space is filled with creativity, mutual support and enthusiasm.
As I consider the subject matter of my block print, a student leans across the table to quietly encourage me. "You just have to let the paper tell you what it wants to be."
My paper wanted to be a cozy home in a snowfall. Other papers wanted to be zebra stripes and polka dots and one decided to be a cat. Everyone in the class is tremendously pleased with what he or she has done and all are just as excited about their fellow classmates' work.
I leave the class feeling rejuvenated. Taking art classes at the center may just become my new most favorite thing to do.
The next day, I cannot wait to get back. A watercolor painting class is scheduled with Doug Jamieson.
Doug is an accomplished artist who has had a successful career as an illustrator. He has even authored a book on the art of drawing.
I arrive a half-hour late, having confused the times in my calendar. No matter. After some good-humored teasing, a place is made for me at the table and I work to catch up with the others. We are drawing and painting a cat.
One shape at a time, Doug shows us how to give a cat proportion. He rounds the table and holds our papers up for each other to see. My stomach knots with anxiety each time he circles to my end. My picture is awful, I think. The cat's neck is too skinny and the legs are all wrong.
As with each student, Doug announces, "Look at what Kathleen did." I want to say, "No, no! Please don't look at what Kathleen did!"
Other students lean across the table to help by drawing their own noses and whiskers and legs on my picture. It adds interest.
We paint. I have never painted with watercolors before. The student next to me decides to make her cat black. Her cat grows with the paint, becoming bigger and fluffier and darker with each coat. She adds two pink eyes and a pink tongue.
She loves her cat. "I am going to sell this one!" she says. I have to admit, it is a very cool cat.
As the class draws to a close, one of the students at the end of the table holds up his painting and shouts, "Hey, I did it!" Across the table a student cheers, "Bingo!"
Another student says, "Voila!" Everyone applauds.
Most definitely, I think to myself, taking art classes at the Center for Self Expression is my new most favorite thing to do.
For more information about the Center for Self Expression, call 432-1890 or visit www.arcotsego.org. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday ,10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Kathleen Frascatore is executive director of the Upper Catskill Community Council of the Arts.
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