Local students explore creativity through inclusive arts workshops

On Jan. 9 Wayne Center for the Arts hosted a day of creativity, movement and expression as part of Tri-County ESC’s Project Partnership program. The initiative, which serves high school special-education students from Wayne, Ashland and Holmes counties, combined fine-arts instruction with practical life-skill development for a series of monthly arts classes.

Students rotated through hands-on workshops in pottery, visual arts, drama and creative movement. In drama sessions participants chose their own lines and scenarios and discovering the power of a personal voice. Creative movement instructors turned gentle stretches into storytelling while the pottery studio was filled with the earthy scent of wet clay. One workshop invited students to design and decorate shelves, prompting them to explain their color and theme choices.

“Each fine-arts class is tailored to meet the needs of each student and is a chance for a student to decide, to take risks and to see the result of those choices,” said Alex Looney, fine-arts consultant at Tri-County ESC. “This is an incredible program designed to provide accessible and differentiated fine-arts instruction to our area high school special-ed students.”

The day concluded with a showcase by Dancing Wheels in the WCA auditorium. Founded in 1980 by Mary Verdi-Fletcher, the nation’s first professional wheelchair dancer, the company demonstrated dance is a universal language. Dancers with and without disabilities performed together, illustrating integration, breaking stereotypes and celebrating shared creation.

“It’s beautiful to watch the kids’ and caregivers’ eyes open to possibilities,” said Sara Brink, executive director of the Wayne Center for the Arts. “The arts can and should be accessible to all, and it’s so inspiring to see Dancing Wheels illustrate that through movement.”

Research shows regular engagement with the arts improves academic performance, reduces disciplinary incidents, supports mental health resilience, and builds confidence, social-emotional skills and empathy. For participating youth, these benefits translate into stronger school outcomes, healthier coping strategies and a deeper sense of belonging.