Arts In Motion Studio offers so much more than art

For many years, Delight Lester, her teaching staff and the students of Arts In Motion Studio have been a unique and inspiring part of the East Hills/Eastown arts community and beyond, performing at festivals and community and private events all over West Michigan. You may have seen them at the Grand Rapids Festival for the Arts, in years past, the Arts in Ada Festival, the St. Patrick's Day Pet Parade and Street Party in East Hills, or the ArtPeers Fall Festival of 2011. You also may have seen them taking a walk in the East Hills area some afternoon when the weather's nice. They are a group of students with physical, mental, and emotional disabilities who learn and practice dance, visual arts, drama, and music in classes that emphasis the inherent creative talent of everyone who participates. Facilitated by AIM staff, the students are encouraged to participate in the design, organization, and presentation of everything they do on whatever level they are able.

The work students do at AIM isn't therapy. It isn't art "in spite of" disability. It is real and beautiful art that is created by individuals whose challenges and differing abilities are a part of their stories, created in a place of community, inclusion, and celebration. Friendships are developed, resources are shared and memories are made during AIM classes. Every student is distinguished as an artist whose work is an intrinsic piece of his or her identity and is given the freedom to express and grow that spirit. The staff at Arts In Motion is trained not only to guide and introduce the students to deeper development of these creative outlets but also to follow them to the places they are inspired to go. AIM students act as ambassadors to the community as well, displaying the results of their classes to the public through active participation in public events. They do this with the hope that continued exposure to people who are differently abled can help create an environment of acceptance, appreciation and involvement in the greater arts community and remind everyone that art is unifying and universal.

Arts In Motion puts on an annual end of year performance at Roger's High School every spring, where the students can showcase their accomplishments from the year. They also hold an annual auction event called A Chair Affair, where hand-decorated chairs are auctioned off to benefit AIM. The next Chair Affair auction takes place on November 10 from 6-10 p.m. at the AIM studio in the Blackport Building on the corner of Diamond and Lake Drive.

For more information on upcoming events, class schedules, and ways to get involved with Arts In Motion Studio, please visit their website or visit them on Facebook to receive updates and news. And continue to check in with The Rapidan for other announcements.