04/23/12 jb

HAYS, Kan. -- USD 489 Special Education classes and three Fort Hays State University Department of Art and Design classes participated in Art Experiences during the fall 2011 and spring 2012 semesters.

"These art experiences were collaborative creative projects that focused on interactivity between the college students and these special education children," said Amy Schmierbach, associate professor of art and design. "Art has the power to make connections between participants and in these experiences all of the students were able to connect with others to create art in a new and different way."

Schmierbach directed the students through activities such as texture painting, sidewalk chalking and drawings. On Wednesday, April 25, preschool students from Wilson Elementary school and FHSU students involved with Art Experiences will create sidewalk chalk drawings in front of the Hays Public Library.

In honor of Autism and Disability Awareness month, all the art made in Art Experiences and photos of the process are on display in the Hays Public Library until Monday, April 30. A reception during the Hays Spring Gallery Walk will be from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Friday, April 27, in the Hays Public Library. The reception is free for the public and refreshments will be served.

Funding for the program is by the FHSU Provost's office, the College of Arts and Sciences, the Department of Art and Design and Midwest Energy.