Art pARTners class pairs passion for art with helping others

Student mentor and senior Zakira Dawkins-Powell works with a peer in the newly piloted class called pARTners at Ocean Lakes High School on Oct. 30. They created self portraits under the supervision of resource teacher Andrea Smolin and art teacher Jaime Kurowski, who are in their third year of the program. (Photo provided with permission by Andrea Smolin)

By Elodie Stewart

Some high school students are redefining what it means to learn, one art project at a time.

Art pARTners, a new class at Ocean Lakes High School, unites students with disabilities and mentors through new social opportunities and art experiences. Andrea Smolin, a resource specialist and co-teacher of Art pARTners, said mentors are Ocean Lakes students who have a passion for art and helping others.

“The partners develop relationships with their mentors. They get an opportunity to learn basic social skills and experience new art together,” Smolin said. “I enjoy seeing amazing growth and how every student can gain so much knowledge every year.”

Senior Reina Odile Sahagun has been an Art pARTner for two years and joined because she enjoys helping others and creating relationships through art.

“It was rewarding to know that I got to help [the partners],” Reina said. “The most important thing was learning to accommodate others’ needs.”

During the program they have done many art projects and bonding activities that help these students learn new skills and abilities. They learn new communication skills, engage in social experiences and build strong bonds and friendships.

“My favorite thing is becoming friends and learning new ways to communicate with them,” senior Haleigh Gillikin said. “I love teaching them new ways to express themselves through art.”

Working with the partners through this class has taught Reina and Katie that there are common misconceptions about kids with disabilities.

“People would assume that the kids can’t do something, but they can. They just need a little extra support or accommodations,” Reina said. “I learned a lot about being respectful to everyone.”

Smolin believes that classes, such as Art pARTners, are important and should be celebrated during Disability Awareness Month, which is something very important to her. Smolin and art teacher Jaime Kurowski piloted the class, and it’s in its third year.

“Disability Awareness Month means [that all of us] can learn about the variety of things that make everyone unique,” Smolin said. “Everybody should be treated with respect.”

Elodie Stewart is a journalism student serving as a staff writer for The Current, a student news website for Ocean Lakes High School.