Carla's Photo Shoot

Carla set up the studio with the flashing lights and got people to pose for her.

SKETCHBOOKS WITH TOM FORRESTALL - DAY 1

Tom Forrestall visits Team Possibles

Tom Forrestall, one of Nova Scotia's most famous artists, visited the Team Possibles on their first day! Tom gave a talk on how to keep a sketch book, he brought his own books to show everyone. Everyone got to pass them around and see the kinds of things Tom puts in his books. Tom draws everything he likes. He said draw what ever you like! It's your book - you can do what ever you like. You can use a pen, marker, pencils, you can write stories, draw your favorite people, movie stars. Anything!

Joel Jacobson came to interview everyone for the paper.

Eduardo wrote some rap poems about his pets for his sketchbook Here is one about Fairy:
Fairy
Yo Yo Yo Fairy
Kung Fu Kitty
Yo Yo Man Fairy
Kissy Kissy Pump it
Pump it Fairy
Yah !!!

Karla set up a great spot for Tom & Joel.

Joel looks like he's getting some good ideas.

Hey someone is dipping into the chip bowl!

Sarom, Andrew, Katie and Jills working on their covers. Joel brought the photo man from the

paper.

Ainsley relaxing

Andrew gets an autograph. Here is a copy of Joel's Arcticle that came out in the Chronicle Herald on Feb 4th 2009.

Art project a big hit for people with Down syndrome

By JOEL JACOBSON Bright Spot

Wed. Feb 4 - 5:21 AM

DARTMOUTH ARTIST Tom Forrestall opens a few of his sketchbooks from

which grew some of his well-known artworks.

Eight young people look with awe at his work as he tells them they,

too, can develop sketchbooks as they learn the intricacies of art and

creativity. During the next eight weeks, they will take photographs,

write stories and poems, and place artwork in their own magazine.

The youth are members of Team Possibles and are participating in an

integrated art program for young adults with Down syndrome and their

peers. Started a year ago by Tom’s daughter, Renee, as a pilot project

for the Nova Scotia Down Syndrome Society, Team Possibles has, in one

short year, worked with the Atlantic Film Festival, Atlantic Filmmakers

Co-op, Halifax Regional Municipality Junior Leaders, Art Gallery of Nova

Scotia and Forrestall Fine Art.

It’s grown into a rich and integrated program that includes partners and

volunteers from the broader community.

The members prepared two short films last March and arrived by limousine

at Bayers Lake Empire Theatres for the premiere. In September, they opened

an exhibition of their photographs at the art gallery that is still on

display.

Now the Zine Team project is underway with a March 14 release date.

The youth, ages 14 to 23, are excited as Renee flits about the games room

at Chocolate Lake Recreation Centre where they meet every Saturday afternoon.

"Lots of parents say their kids are talking more, have more confidence and

are generally happier," says Renee. She says her daughter, Marie, who has

Down syndrome, "is more self-assured and more outgoing."

The program integrates Down syndrome youth with city recreation programs.

Sarom Curtis, a Grade 12 student at J.L. Ilsley High School, took an art

program with Renee, now an art education teacher with the Halifax regional

school board, but with a long resume of art education instruction.

"She asked me to help the kids," says Sarom. "I’m inspired but what I’ve

seen them do since last January. I let them do things for themselves and,

if they ask for help, I encourage them first before pitching in. I’ve

certainly learned more about people."

The program is funded by a community grant from the IWK Health Centre, Nova

Scotia Cultural Activities Fund and proceeds from fundraisers run by other

groups.

"The program is small (there are 10 youth) because this room can only hold

so many," says Renee. "It would be nice if other programs like this could

follow this model."

Program participants Marie, 18, Jillian Arthur, 22, and Katie Isenor, 20,

have known each other since they were very young and attending programs at

the Progress Centre for Early Intervention.

Katie, who devised the name Team Possibles, just graduated from J.L. Ilsley

and is looking for work. "I love helping kids," she says, noting that she

developed skills at a local daycare.

She also muses that she could work in a clothing store.

Jillian says she writes and places stories on a Team Possibles blog. The 22-

year-old graduated from J.L. Ilsley two years ago and is working at a daycare

now, playing with the children and helping clean up. She says she’s constantly

busy, working three days a week, and participating in Special Olympics.

"The results (of the program) so far have been startling, and a testament to

the importance of providing quality resources and never underestimating our

members," says Renee.

Meet your support Team!

Welcome back Carrie, and welcome to Julieanne, and Erin from NSCAD University.

Tom worked with everyone on the first day. We all made the covers to our sketch books.

Tom Forrestall visits Team Possibles