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 !!!
Joel looks like he's getting some good ideas.
Sarom, Andrew, Katie and Jills working on their covers. Joel brought the photo man from the
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.
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.
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