This program has cool art and even cooler artists

Upon entering the Cool Arts Society room at the Rotary Centre for the Arts, paintings and art projects immediately capture the eye.

Supplies clutter the tables, while artists are focused and working on their latest project.

For almost 20 years, the organization has allowed aspiring artists with diversabilities to freely express themselves and unleash their creative side.

“It offers them the opportunity to interact and be exposed to art by a diverse community, but it also helps bring people who are ordinarily marginalized and punished to the sidelines, to creating a safe space for them to come and work,” Executive Director Rachael Jones told Kelowna10.

The society creates everything from paintings to pottery, and recently taught animation, cartooning and digital art.

Jones has a personal connection with the society, as she has an autistic son, who is also an artist. It's what drew her to Cool Arts in the first place. But she’s gone beyond just being an interested parent to someone who loves working with the artists and seeing them grow and develop.

"Being part of the program and working with the other artists and volunteers has been very fulfilling, and I really enjoy it,” Jones said.

Art educator and volunteer coordinator Amy Bradshaw said her favorite part about Cool Arts is making connections with the artists.

“They get an opportunity to expand on skill sets that are used in the art world, so techniques, printmaking, drawing. More recently we’ve even had programs running clay sculptural building and hand building classes,” Bradshaw said.

The society was also able to purchase a special loom last year that can fit a wheelchair to teach weaving.

The "cool artists” themselves are Lucie Parent’s favourite thing about working with the society. She's been there fro 13 years and is currently a guest workshop instructor but used to sit on the board of directors.

While on the board, she didn’t get to spend much time hanging out with the artists - something she loves and now has the opportunity to do more of.

“The confidence they’re gaining from their artwork, especially when they sell pieces, and they get a portion of the sales, it’s [a] warm fuzzy feeling when you hand them their cheque,” Parent said.

Among the cool artists is Kelly, who as of last class, was working on a card with flowers for his girlfriend.

“They’re nice to me, and I enjoy people. I meet a lot of friends,” Kelly said of the program.

His colleague, Randi, enjoys painting flowers and doing canvas bags.

“Meeting new people, meeting other people, and you see what they do and what we do. I colour, so I like what they’re colouring and painting,” Randi said.