About twice a year we get a visit from one of our favorite groups, Canton Leisure Club. This is a group of individuals ages 15 and up with physical and/or mental impairments who participate in a program that promotes participant social skills and independance in the community and boy do they have a lot of energy!The moment this group walks in the energy in the studio changes. With huge smiles on their faces and excitement in the air we begin helping them pick out their pieces to paint, from animal figurines to plates and bowls, this group really knows what they want and most of them make something for a family member or friend which makes the project even more special.
There are always wild stories to share and lots of laughter floating around the studio. On top of the group being so much fun the counselors who are in charge are wonderful too. They are super patient, attentive and really in tune with what their group needs. That doesn't surprise me though because Canton Leisure Services always does an excellent job of hiring a fantastic staff - kudos to them!
I truly enjoy the opportunity to work with this group each year. I love to see the smiling faces enter the studio and I'm sad to see them leave. It not only reminds me that painting pottery can be fun but also theraputic and is such a simple thing that can bring so much joy to a group of people.
