Surrounded by support, Art Therapy Express finds a home

For the past five years, Lisa Bartoli has had a traveling expressive arts program. She has visited schools, hospitals and community centers in a job she loves, but she always dreamed of having her own therapy studio -- accessible to all, regardless of physical, cognitive, or emotional disabilities.

Now, thanks to help from “many angels,” her dream is finally coming true.

The first angel was Carol Dougherty, center coordinator for the Art Studio, part of the fine arts education center of New Castle County Department of Community Service in the Absalom Jones Community Center, who heard Bartoli was looking for a space.

“Our old wood shop was unused,” Dougherty said. “It seemed like a great fit.”

Bartoli was thrilled with the idea of having 700 square feet of donated space for her program.

The space needed some renovating, and word spread.

Enter the second angel: Herbert Shiber, manager of Sherwin Williams on Kirkwood Higway, a friend of Bartoli’s and a father of a special needs child, along with a host of other angels -- co-workers, who offered to paint the space for free, so “Lisa can spend her time getting the classroom up and running for her kids,” Shiber said.

News of Bartoli’s new studio traveled, and more angels arrived: Sonny Ramos Ray sketched a mural for the space, Katie Reynolds, a Wilmington University student, offered photography and graphic arts, and Maria Jose, director of the Spanish Academy, asked friends and family to make donations to Bartoli’s program instead of gifts for her 40th birthday.

Delcastle Technical High School teachers and students signed on to help. Jim Berman and his culinary students offered catering, digital media created a documentary DVD, others provided accounting and graphic arts. Carpentry instructor Tom Gamber made special cubbies and his wood shop students created special tables and revolving easels.

“These items are expensive to buy, and the students are excited about what they’re making,” Gamber said.

Delaware Assistive Technology mentored students concerning adaptive technology.

Bartoli says she loves what she does, and is so thankful to all those who joined in this creative journey.

“My students bring so much joy to my life," she says. "Such wonderful people seem to be willing to support our new project. I’m feeling that something greater than ourselves is making it all possible.”

Bartoli envisions a studio where groups serving special needs students and parents can share resources and ideas, have conferences, and get information on adaptive technology. She would love to see her calendar filled with community outings, art activities, and visiting artists.

A grand opening date and a spring fundraiser – creating the longest chain of wheel chairs – are in the planing stages and dates are expected to be announced soon.

Donations and volunteers are always welcome, she said. Grant writing is needed, and a van to transport materials would be fantastic. Paint brushes, (mural, watercolor and printer paper), canvas in sizes 16 x 20 inches up to 3 x 4 feet are always in short supply.

The Chichester DuPont Foundation, DFRC Foundation, and Delaware Division of Arts provide educational and financial support to Bartoli’s program.

The Art Studio at 310 Kiamensi Rd. in Newport also offers pottery, jewelry, photography, weaving, painting and drawing classes. For more information call (302) 239-6694 or visit www.arttherapyexpress.org, or call (302) 995-7661or visit  www.nccde.org/artstudio.