SNAP and Parkland Nursing program to host art demo

The Student Nurses Association of Parkland College and the Nursing Program of Parkland College are hosting the Swann Special Care Center Art Demonstration and Sale on April 26 - 27, 2012 at the Art Gallery Lounge of Parkland College. 

The students at Swann Special Care Center, 109 Kenwood Road, C, will demonstrate how they create their art, which will be available for purchase at this special benefit showing. For about $25, you can get a framed piece of artwork.   Also available are postcards and greeting cards based on student designs for $1.

Art is therapy and a communications tool for the profoundly challenged people who live at Swann and study at the nearby school. For Parkland nursing students, it's also a wonderful learning opportunity.  Parkland Nursing students and faculty have pediatric clinicals at Swann where they get to know the residents and also see how the Swann students express themselves through the beautiful art that they create during the art program at Swann.

“These Swann students have really touched my heart... many of them are unable to communicate verbally but through their art they can express their inner essence, their warmth, their individualism and you can connect with them... it’s beautiful and meaningful,” said Michele Spading, RN, MSN, Nursing Program Director, Parkland College.

The students use nontoxic watercolor and tempera paints and often the painting tools have to be adjusted for an individual's needs. The art activities offer a multitude of opportunities for choice-making, sensory stimulation, range of motion exercises, and positioning changes. The sale of the art helps provide for these occupational activities.

The public is invited to attend the demonstration and reception on Thursday April 27 at 10:30 a.m. - 11 a.m.  The art will be displayed and for sale both days, Thursday April 26 and Friday April 27, from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.  The color and abstract designs in the artwork and card design make them excellent gifts just in time for Mother’s Day and upcoming graduations.