Salvation Army DDP Program artists to exhibit at MAL in August

The Salvation Army, Developmental Disabilities Program recently announced its Fifth Annual Art Show featuring artwork from the members of the Creative heARTs Program. The show will be featured during August at the Millsboro Art League, 203 Main St. in Millsboro. An open house will be held from 2 to 4 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 9.

The Salvation Army, DDP is a community program whose goal is to help people with developmental and cognitive disabilities become integral parts of their communities. Program participants hold jobs in the community, volunteer with other nonprofit agencies, and participate in many community activities with the support of DDP staff.

The Salvation Army, DDP has been offering an art program for about seven years now. The individuals involved in Creative heARTs would rather paint than almost any other activity offered. Gerri, who has a full-time job at Beebe Healthcare, can’t wait to get her schedule to see what days she is off and can come in and paint. “I love it all,” said Gerri when asked what is her favorite painting technique. Marvin, who works at Jakes Seafood, said, “I wish I had more time to paint,” as he attends the program only on Friday due to his work schedule. But when they are both there, they create masterpieces!

“It is so hard to believe we are celebrating our fifth show at the Millsboro Art League,” said Christy Cugno, Delaware director. “I am so proud of each of the artists. All they need is a drive, and our teachers find a way to help them create a work of art!”

The Creative heARTs artists have been taking watercolor classes at MAL the past few years. “The MAL artists, Barbara Harris and Arlene Bayler, have been amazing. The time and generosity of sharing their talents has been priceless,” said Cugno.

“It is hard to believe we started with a box of watercolors from the Dollar Store and now we are celebrating five years of shows,” said Barbara Buford, who works for and teaches art at the Creative heARTs Program. “They continue to challenge and inspire me, and that is what makes my job so great.”

Not only will each painting be for sale, but the Creative heARTs artists have continued to add new designs to their line of notecards. The sale of the cards helps purchase needed supplies for the artists to continue to create. A limited edition of the “Tree of Hope” will also be available.

The Creative heARTs Program was also made possible, in part, by grants from the Delaware Division of the Arts, a state agency dedicated to nurturing and supporting the arts in Delaware, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts.

The Creative heARTs artists will be at the open house to discuss their paintings. Anyone unable to attend can contact the art league for other times to view the works.

For more information on The Salvation Army, DDP or Creative heARTs program or to purchase cards, call Christy Cugno at 302-934-3730, Ext. 111 or email christy_cugno@use.salvationarmy.org. For more information on the Millsboro Art League, call 302-934-6440 or go to www.millsboroartleague.com.