Creative Community Outreach

Art on Wheels is dedicated to bringing quality art education programs to communities of limited means. Our intent to make arts education accessible to all ages and abilities was derived from co-founders Andrea Olson and Kevin Orlosky’s personal, transformative and healing experiences in the arts. In an effort to expose participants to exceptional enrichment experiences, Art on Wheels’ comprehensive curriculum covers Painting, Printmaking, Sculpture, Fabric and Photography processes. Specialized equipment such as portable printmaking presses and photographic exposure units offer unique and challenging learning experiences for populations whom historically have had very low arts exposure.

Due to the wide variance of age, abilities and arts exposure in the populations receiving Art on Wheels programming, each program is custom designed to suit each population’s needs, gently pushing participant limitations in a positive and sensitive manner. Traveling with all supplies to instruct participants in their own facilities enables us to affect populations who face difficulties accessing conventional opportunities.

Growing in the Arts

From improving language capabilities and critical thinking skills, to expanding visual and spatial perception and increasing academic achievement, art education plays an integral role in childhood development. As children develop their intuitive and expressive capacities and build confidence through the arts, our curriculum is custom designed and highly flexible to meet a variety of needs. Whether the need is for a one-time activity or a fully developed program, countless organizations serving children in our community can see significant benefits from arts programming. Transitional and group homes for children, hospitals, specialized children’s camps and support groups, community centers, and youth groups can offer excellent and unconventional opportunities for arts involvement and increased achievement through our curriculum. Additionally, preschool and early childhood education centers, child care agencies, after-school programs, and public and private K-12 schools can engage students through our process-oriented approach.

Programming for Adults

The benefits of arts education and creative self-expression do not end with childhood. Our process-oriented curriculum can provide participants with valuable cognitive enrichment and stress relief while building confidence, expanding perceptive abilities and improving creative thinking skills. Classes can vary from occasional workshops to long-term customized programs and are available to a variety of facilities; including adult care, transitional and group homes, recovery and support facilities and a multitude of church, craft and local groups. Additionally, public workshops and a presence at local festivals offer opportunities for the general population.

Arts Enrichment for Senior Citizens

Our arts programming for senior citizens provides a vital link between the mental and physical benefits of arts participation to facilities offering long-term senior care that frequently lack the resources to keep senior citizens mentally active. Art education helps seniors feel empowered through active participation – building self-esteem and camaraderie while allowing seniors to regain autonomy, exercising hands and fingers that frequently stiffen with age. Programs are custom designed to gently push limitations faced by senior populations while enabling creative expression, and vary in length. Assisted living and long-term care facilities, senior centers, and local organizations providing for senior populations can all benefit from Art on Wheels programming.