Art & Creativity

Kitchen Table Printmaking with Yvette
(MONDAY 11:15am – 12:15pm and WEDNESDAY 9:45am – 10:45am)

Kitchen Table Printmaking brings the art of printmaking to online students using materials found in the home. Students will explore the techniques of monotype, collagraph, and relief printing using wax paper, cardboard, and Styrofoam as printing plates to create unique and multiple prints. They will learn about registration, color mixing, and using unusual tools.

Art with Esther
(TUESDAY 10:00am – 11:00am and WEDNESDAY 2:00pm – 3:00pm)

Explore different art-making techniques utilizing easily found materials. Through creative thought and imagination, wondrous creations can be made.

Daily Practice of Art with Faye
(TUESDAY 11:00am – 12:00pm)

Taking the time to make art each day is grounding and relaxing. Putting ideas down on paper leaves a visual record of time passing. It allows for expression and memory. The daily practice of art-making strengthens the creative spirit.

Make Use, Make Art with Faye
(THURSDAY 11:00am – 12:00pm)

This class focuses on using materials found in the home to create collage art. Recycling magazines, food boxes, greeting cards, and other items will be used. The projects will follow the theme of the month from the current WAE Center curriculum.

WAE to Sell
(THURSDAY 11:15am – 12:15pm)

This class will explore running an online print-on-demand store for the WAE Center where your artwork will be featured in collections to be used in products.

WAE Outside of the Box with Faye
(TUESDAY 1:00pm – 2:00pm)

The members of this class will receive a monthly box filled with many different kinds of projects and activities ranging from arts and crafts, science experiments and self care ideas. Participants will have the opportunity to meet via Zoom sessions to work on the projects together with a facilitator.

Creativity with Nature
(THURSDAY 2:00pm – 3:00pm)

In this class you’ll get creative with common natural and man-made materials found inside and out. Plan to grow plants, compost, and make crafts/art using repurposed and provided items. We’ll explore making paper, planting bulbs, nature wreaths, building bird houses and feeders, making terrariums, planting herb gardens, seed sprouting/stratification, and even making a bug hotel.

Understanding Art: An Online Art Class
(FRIDAY 10:00am – 11:00am)

An Art and Art History Class, in which participants will learn about historically important art movements and styles while creating works of art. Onnie Strother, BFA, M.A., M.A.Ed. Admin, Certified in Art education K12, and Creative Aging. Mr. Strother is a practicing artist, curator, and lecturer. Mr. Strother has over 37 years’ experience in public school education.

Exercise & Meditation

YOGA with Marni
(WEDNESDAY 11:00am – 12:00pm)

Yoga with Marni will give you a chance to put a pause on the rest of your life so you can recharge, reboot, rejuvenate and reeeelax! You will breathe deeply, stretch and strengthen your body, mind and spirt and leave class ready for the rest of your day!

Meditation & Relaxation with Esther
(THURSDAY 10:00am – 11:00am)

An opportunity for participants to reconnect with self and others. A time to share and feel part of our community as well as connect to our own space and the resources we have inside. It is also a time to share and be heard at the start and end of each session.

History & Current Events

Let’s Talk About Us with Randy
(MONDAY 11:00am – 12:00pm)

Group discussion will focus on currents events. Topics include the following: Covid-19 pandemic, racism, civil unrest, police brutality, economic instability, etc. Lessons will incorporate a study on history, politics, sociology, and more. This class will be taught in a safe and respectful forum that encourages dialogue and learning.

Exploring the Decades with Faye
(MONDAY 2:00pm – 3:00pm)

This class will be an online look back at U.S. history and culture during the decades 1920-2020. Music, politics, fashion, dance, art, radio broadcasts, and other aspects of popular culture will be explored. Along with trivia and guessing games, video presentations, art explorations and readings from topical literature will be featured. The front page of the NY Times newspaper will be investigated throughout the decades. Interviews with people who lived through the decades will be showcased. This class will give members an opportunity to see where we came from and where we are going as a nation. Members are invited to dress for the decade!

This Week, What’s Up with Faye
(WEDNESDAY 11:15am – 12:00pm)

The class is a discussion group on daily activities and current events happening in the participants’ lives and in our community. Most importantly, participants have a chance to interact and socialize with their peers and staff. This is a virtual conversation class led by Faye that will have other WAE Center members participating.

Judaic Studies

Judaic Gems with Hagit
(MONDAY 10:00am – 11:00am)

Judaic Gems with Hagit is an uplifting and exciting Zoom Jewish studies experience. Curriculum focus is on the Jewish holidays, Jewish rituals, and life cycle events. The workshop will incorporate music, games, cooking, Jewish culture, and the arts to develop participants’ understanding of Judaism and connection to the Jewish tradition.

Virtual Shabbat
(FRIDAY 5:00pm – 5:30pm)

Every Friday evening from 5 to 5:30pm participants sit down for Shabbat dinner and gather on Zoom to welcome the Shabbat. We light the Shabbat candles together, bless over the grape juice and challah and welcome the day of rest with Hebrew and English songs. In addition, the participants have an opportunity to share the best part of their week as well as discuss weekly events and, at times, learn about the weekly Torah portion and relevant Jewish holidays.

The Zoom community is educational and festive and creates a nice way of ending the busy week in a spiritual and meaningful manner.

Contact Hagit Oren at HOren@jsddmetrowest.org with questions and information on how to join.

Music

Music with Dean
(TUESDAY 1:00pm – 2:00pm; WEDNESDAY 1:00pm – 2:00pm and THURSDAY 1:00pm – 2:00pm)

The class is an interactive music class where participants learn music technique and various songs.

African Drumming with Marafanyi
(FRIDAY 11:00am – 12:00pm)

Join Lara Gonzalez, Yael Shacham and Lisa Gonzalez-Howell for a virtual interactive exploration of the beautiful rhythms, dances and songs from West Africa, including Nigeria, Guinea, Mali and Ghana.

Social

Lunch & Learn
(FRIDAY 12:15pm – 12:45pm)

Lunch and Learn will allow the participants to interact and socialize with their peers during their down time. During these tough times, members can still have this time to talk about the different things that are going on and have fun at the same time.

Teams & Focus
(FRIDAY 1:00pm – 2:00pm)

This group offers a structured form of play that will help participants learn about themselves, develop skills like communication and team work, and learn the dynamics of social interaction through competition all while practicing the key components of game play such as goal setting, rule following, and positive interactions.

LGBTQ+ WAE

The intention of LGBTQ+ WAE is to bring together a group of people who share similar life experiences and to enjoy the support of that community. The goal: to lessen the isolation and reduce stereotypes and misperceptions of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) who identify as LGBTQ+.

Virtual Travel

Travel Class with Dean
(MONDAY 1:00pm – 2:00pm)

With Travel so difficult in our current situation this virtual class is a way of exploring and experiencing places around the world. In each class we will explore the location, history, geography, and culture of a given place with the aid of pictures, audio, and video. The only thing you need to bring is yourself and your imagination.

Learn More & Register

If you are interested in registering for WAE to Connect classes, please complete the form below or contact Yolanda Sanchez 973-272-7152 or YSanchez@jsddmetrowest.org.

Supported by a generous grant from The Healthcare Foundation of NJ