Self Expression through Art: Pomeroy Recreation & Rehabilitation Center

Self Expression through Art:
Pomeroy Recreation & Rehabilitation Center

The Pomeroy Recreation & Rehabilitation Center, located in the Outer Sunset district of San Francisco, provides recreational, vocational, and educational opportunities for people with disabilities. A variety of programs and services encourage self-expression, promote personal achievement, and lead to greater independence. Drama, dance, arts, crafts, swimming, computer lab, field trips, and cooking classes are among the fun and enriching activities for children and teens. Children’s after-school programming provides sensory integration and occupational therapy.

The Expressive Arts Program at the Center allows students to explore their sense of self, to embrace their potential, and to creatively engage in the world. A research study, commissioned by the Kennedy Center for the Arts, concluded that the arts is a platform for students with major disabilities to express a wide range of emotions, which can improve their self-esteem.

Art can be transformative for the creator of the work, and it can transform the viewer by challenging one’s assumptions about disability. The beauty, depth, and humor of the work provoke fresh perspectives and foster new regard for the personal vision and artistry of individuals with developmental disabilities.

Children, teenagers, and adult participants in the Expressive Arts Program created the artwork on display. They used different types of media and materials, including paint, charcoal, marbles, and colored pencil in a variety of methods to express their thoughts, feelings, and emotions.

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