WAE Center News

  Three members of the Wae Center’s Pen Pal Club are currently participating in the international post card exchange known as Postcrossing.  The purpose of this program is education, international friendship, and cultural exchange.   In our mailbox this week were five cards — one from Toulouse, addressed to a former member, and four addressed to Tamilah A.  One of these was an Alice in Wonderland illustration from Kentucky; another was a post card made of wood from Slovakia.  A card from the Netherlands was in the shape of a tulip.   Almost every day we find a few surprises in our mailbox!     With thanks,   John Skillin  

WAE Center members and staff all came together to eat delicious chili lime chicken sandwiches, hot dogs, black bean and corn salad, potato salad and topped it off with a yummy dessert.  The music was playing during the meal  which helped to invigorated the members to get up and dance!  Thank you to all the incredible staff who made the BBQ a success!

  The Wae Center has been honored with the invitation to participate in the upcoming Studio Montclair exhibition “Inspired by Quilts”.  The show was curated by Virginia S. Block, Jane Mitchell, and our very own Yvette Lucas.  The artwork created by our members is the result of a 2 ½ month long workshop; producing thirty-five 12”x12” panels that will be pieced together in a 7’x5’ quilt-like display on one wall.  The panels are imaginative, personal, and quite varied.   The show is presented in partnership with the Montclair History Center under the umbrella of Studio Montclair’s Virginia S. Block Community Partnership Exhibition Program. This exhibit will be on view at the Studio Montclair Gallery from September 5th to October 19th, […]

Power of the Spoken Word                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          By:  John Skillin      As previously announced, part of today’s final hour was devoted to a traditional Wae Center farewell circle for RaQuasha of our staff.  This occasion drew a large assembly of both students and staff, many of whom came to the microphone to share their parting words.      Among those who spoke today were Yvette, Jarad, Kristen, Victoria M., Roberto, Jay, Teresa, Tamilah, Grace, Janet, Debbie, Ryan, David G., Erin, Mariam, Marquise, and Maria.    Yvette presented RaQuasha with two gifts and a card signed by many of the students whom she helped to achieve their goals.      Some were overcome with emotion as they spoke.  Because most of RaQuasha’s hours were assigned […]

It was a beautiful sunny day in late July for an excursion to view the Annual collaborative Art Exhibition with Matheny and the WAE Center.  Both organizations have thriving programs to enable individuals with disabilities to create fine art.  The artistic process is an undeniable source of empowerment for people with disabilities, and the exhibited work is a testament to the success of each of these programs.   The program is made possible in part by funds from the NJ State Council on the Arts/Department and a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.