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Very Spectacular: MOV special needs students experience the arts

MOV special needs students experience the arts

By Brett Dunlap 5 min read

PARKERSBURG - Students with special needs from around the area got to experience the arts Wednesday during the Very Spectacular Arts Festival at West Virginia University at Parkersburg.

The annual event, put on by Artsbridge, brings between 250-500 students with special needs from Washington County, Ohio, and Wood, Wirt, Pleasants, Jackson, Doddridge and Roane counties in West Virginia. Students come together for a day of hands-on arts experiences including painting, singing, dancing, STEAM learning and more.

"We do this every year," said Lyndsay Dennis, executive director of Artsbridge. "This is a day that we provide for students with developmental disabilities and immerse them in art and all the things that are fun and enjoyable.''

They had musical performances, interactive sessions with instruments, a string quartet, yoga, karaoke, face painting and eight rooms where students could do arts and crafts projects. They also had people playing drums where the students could join in and more. The Actors Guild of Parkersburg was doing some costuming activities.

"There was no shortage of things to do," Dennis said, adding the kids have a wonderful time just immersing themselves in the arts, having new experiences and maybe learning something that they can take home and try with their families.

"I just think it is important they feel special during our Very Spectacular Arts Festival.''

There were just under 300 students, elementary to high school age, participating throughout the day with around 100 aides and teachers participating in the event on Wednesday. There were also numerous volunteers and others helping throughout the day.

Last year, the festival was held elsewhere and Dennis said they were glad to be back at WVUP.

"This is a perfect fit," she said of having the space available to do what they do with facilities and being able to accommodate a number of students with a number of special needs.

The festival is sponsored by the PM Company through a Spirit of Giving Grant.

Every room is sponsored by a local organization, including the Arc of the Mid-Ohio Valley, Wood County Society Art Beat Studio and the Parkersburg Art Center, the Actors Guild and the Arts Collaborative.

"It is a way for them to reach their community," Dennis said. "It gives them an opportunity to meet people where they are.

"They were all excited to be a part of the day."

As many schools nationwide face tightening budgets, music and arts programs are among the classes that are the first to be cut, Dennis said Artsbridge continues to provide that for the community.

"Artsbridge's mission is mainly arts education," she said. "Through our mission we want to make arts education accessible to everyone."'

Occupational Therapist Hannah Clegg, who was helping students with a number of activities, said it was great for many of them to be able to get out of the classroom and be around their peers from other schools.

"It exposes them to a lot of great opportunities, as far as music and creativity and just allows them some space just to be themselves," she said. "It is just a great opportunity for them."

Volunteer Cary Huck was helping with students from Waterford, including her grandson. She was helping students make paper hats at one craft station.

"They are loving it," she said. "Anything they can do hands-on, they love it."

Seth Rader of the Wood County Society was helping students do another craft project. He was impressed with the number of students and how many were having a good time participating in the activities.

"I think it is going great so far," he said. "I think they are learning to be creative and learning to interact with others."

Williamstown Middle/High School Special Education Teacher Hannah Cowley said her students were really enjoying themselves throughout the day. She was singing karaoke with a few of them at one point.

"They are doing a great job," she said. "I like that they get to interact with other kids outside of our school. Sometimes it feels like we are in a bubble sometimes.

"I love that they are using their social skills, behavior skills and functional skills all in one place."

Some of the activities have required the students to go outside their comfort zone and have new experiences, like a couple who tried singing karaoke.

"I love them to be able to do different things, doing hands-on stuff and using critical thinking skills," Cowley said. "I love it.''

She commended the program and how it was set up where it allowed students to be able to take a break if they needed it as well as the number of people available to help out with the students.

A number of her students indicated they had a good day.

"It is all positive," Cowley said. "We have all had a good experience.''

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