At Keshet’s GADOL adult day program, art is more than a pastime—it’s a way for participants to express themselves, connect with others and boost confidence. Every week, team members gather at the L’Chaim Center in Deerfield for a mixed-media art class led by Caren Miller, an educator who has dedicated her life to helping people with disabilities and other diverse needs explore their creativity. Supported by the Beverly Goldstick Creative Arts Program, the class allows participants to follow their interests while developing skills, experimenting with materials and building social connections.
What makes this art class unique compared to a traditional class is that it is fully participant-driven. Team members choose what they want to create and the materials they want to use. Caren sets up the room as an open studio of sorts, filling shelves and tables with materials like clay, cardboard, crayons, beads, tie-dye and more. Many projects evolve over several weeks, giving participants the flexibility to take a break and work on something different if they choose. Megan says, “I get to make what I want. I make cartoon characters.” From sculpting whimsical characters to creating 3D blue suede shoes or clay ice cream cones, each project reflects the participant’s personality and interests.
Art is also a powerful tool for self-expression, particularly for people with disabilities. One participant draws straight, multicolored lines to represent anxiety, illustrating how art can help explore emotions in ways that might be difficult to express otherwise. Sam shares, “Art calms me down,” while Susan calls the class “my happy place.” It’s amazing to see how our participants are able to articulate their feelings in a calm, supportive environment—a striking contrast to other settings that can sometimes feel overwhelming.
For Caren, teaching is as much about nurturing individual expression as it is about sharing her love of art. She has worked with people from diverse backgrounds for many years and says the participants often deepen her own creativity. “If I can’t be original or creative anymore, then I am done,” she says. On off days, she often researches new techniques or a favorite character of a participant so she can bring it to the next class for them to sketch. She gently encourages participants to take creative risks and reach their fullest potential.
Participants clearly look up to Caren and appreciate the class environment. Estella says, “Caren is the sweetest person in the whole world. She brings in good ideas for us. It relaxes me.” Erin, a long-time participant, reflects, “I like being with Caren because I like doing art, and she makes me a better artist. My favorite project is sculpting.” We are grateful to have educators like Caren at Keshet who understand our participants and make each feel valued.
This class is just one way Keshet empowers adults to discover their abilities, grow their skills and celebrate accomplishments. Beyond the art itself, it gives participants a tangible sense of pride in what they create. Looking ahead, Caren hopes to expand the class into an art show, allowing the community to admire the incredible work of our participants. For now, we’ll continue to sketch our own path of creativity.
