The sensory art program for adults with disabilities is a valuable part of the holistic program at Cultivating Dreams Farm. The arts provide multifaceted benefits, including self-expression, communication, sensory experiences, and development of motor skills. Throughout the day, people in the art program gather in the renovated barn to explore a variety of media and experience the satisfaction and empowerment that comes with completing their own creations.
Nicole Raneri is the therapeutic arts coordinator at Cultivating Dreams Farm. Having graduated from Teachers College Columbia University with a master’s degree in art, Nicole brings her experience teaching students with a range of abilities in New York City’s District 75. District 75 specializes in instructional support for students with significant challenges including autism spectrum disorders, cognitive delays, and multiple disabilities.
“I found a great opportunity here at Cultivating Dreams Farm where I can provide art making to adults with disabilities,” says Nicole.
Person-Centered Sensory Arts for Adults with Disabilities
Supports provided by Community Based Services are person-centered. The arts program at Cultivating Dreams Farm is aligned with that mission. For instance, Nicole’s students can choose what they would like to create and how they would like to engage in the art making process. Her main goal for the program is to involve every individual in the creative experience. Her expertise involves adapting the projects to the needs and desires of each person. For example, if students can do the work and are seeking more challenge, she provides opportunities for them to hone their art-making skills.
“They get to decide what they want to make, and it is very choice based. Maybe individuals are not as able to hold the crayon, marker, or paint brush. I involve them in the art making by creating adaptive lessons for them using adaptive tools. For example, I taught a project with balloons and painting where the person, hand over hand, can easily grasp the balloon and make a painting using the tool.”
Upcycled Water Bottle Chandelier
Nicole’s students contribute to the artistic spirit already present throughout the farm’s property, from the Zen water garden to the artwork on display in the farmhouse. Imagine entering the greenhouse to care for the plants and the soil, but then looking up and seeing something unexpected and beautiful. Adorning the ceiling of the greenhouse is a recent group project – a colorful, glass like chandelier created out of upcycled water bottles in the style of artist Dale Chihuly.
During the chandelier project, each person engaged in the art process from beginning to end. A conversation about the importance of recycling launched the project and direct support staff helped people to collect water bottles. They enjoyed mixing paint with water in the bottles and shaking them up to see the color changes. After painting the bottles, they cut them into spirals using scissors. The spirals were hung together with string to create the chandelier. People in the Respite program helped to hang them up in the greenhouse.
“What I enjoy the most is seeing those ‘aha!’ moments and smiles where they have mixed a color, or they have done something with their art making tool or project that excites them and they can’t contain it. That is the best part."
Therapeutic Arts Coordinator Nicole Raneri
After sharing her passion for art making with others, how does Nicole feed her own creative pursuits? “I love to write and illustrate children’s story books. In a way, it is art therapy for me. It started as a hobby and spiraled into something bigger. I recently published a children’s book and I’m looking into possibly doing more of that,” says Nicole.