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The entire iHOPE community is getting excited for the school's first formal fundraiser, Art Speaks, on March 20, 2019. The aim of Art Speaks is not only to raise funds for the school, but to raise awareness about iHOPE's students and the various ways they can express themselves through art, technology, and adapted equipment.
Megan Wenzel, iHOPE's Director of Speech Language and Hearing and co-chair of the event shared, "So much hard work has gone into the Art Speaks fundraiser, both by staff and students alike. The pieces the students have created truly show their unique personalities and embody what iHOPE is all about. The Speech Language Hearing Department is honored to help facilitate this exciting new event."
Megan and her co-chair Alexandra Caroli led the Art Speaks committee to reach out to over 200 businesses asking for their support. Silent auction items and donors include SoulCycle gift certificates, jewelry from Gorjana, memorabilia from Mark Messier, Bloomingdales, Sephora, Harry’s Shave, MZ Wallace, and Rebecca Minkoff, among others. Parents have also generously donated time and supplies.
The image of Heidi above shows the process the students took to make art. First, the artists picked the color they wanted, then they activated their switches to make the cups of paint pour color onto the canvas. Then, they used their switches to activate squirt guns to hit the canvas. The students worked together on this project and it was a great way to emphasize how art could be created as a team.
This exciting event will highlight the therapeutic and educational programs provided at iHOPE to give every child a way to communicate, express themselves, and be as independent as possible in showcasing their abilities. All proceeds go into the therapy and educational and technological programs that make iHOPE a unique school.