A Little Art, A Lot of Friendship

There's no right or wrong way to make art, and that's exactly what makes Art Club at Friendship Circle so special.

For three Mondays in October, our members have been getting together with local artist Shannon Merenstein for a series of projects centered around collage. With colorful paper, different textures and plenty of materials to choose from, everyone has the chance to create something that's completely their own.

But Art Club isn't just about what ends up on the paper. It's also about the conversations happening around the table, the friendships being made and the confidence that comes with trying something new.

Shannon has been leading art sessions at Friendship Circle for at least six years, and it's something she continues to look forward to.

For her, making art is a great way to keep your hands busy while getting to know the people sitting next to you. She loves meeting FC members and coming up with new projects that give everyone a chance to express themselves.

And this month's series has given our artists plenty of room to experiment!

During the first session, members explored using one material on a three-dimensional surface to create collage lanterns. The following week, they designed individual art boxes using a variety of materials. For the final session, members will create collage self-portraits, which will be displayed in Friendship Circle's gallery for others to enjoy.

One of the best parts? No two projects look the same.

For FC member Ava Cohen, that's what makes Art Club so much fun.

"I like it because you can do art," Ava shared. "It's a fun space and you can do a spin on any project."

That freedom to make something your own is exactly what Alexander, who leads the program, hopes members experience.

"Beyond the artwork that our members create, my goal is for them to leave Art Club feeling more confident in themselves, more connected to the friends around them, and proud of what they created," Alexander shared.

He also recognizes that art can be a way for members to express feelings and ideas that might be difficult to put into words.

"Art Club allows our members to be their authentic selves while also fostering friendships and building relationships through a shared creative experience."

And that's what makes these Monday afternoons so meaningful. Some members come ready with an idea, while others figure it out as they go. Everyone works at their own pace, shares ideas and gets to see what their friends are creating along the way.

As the three-week series wraps up, there's one more thing to look forward to: seeing everyone's artwork on display at Friendship Circle.

For our artists, it's a chance to step back, look at what they've made and share a little piece of themselves with the rest of the community.

And we can't wait for everyone to see it!