The Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara Foundation is hosting art workshops during March and April, led by professional artists, with limited openings for community participation. These workshops are made possible, in part, with funds from the Arts Niagara Decentralization Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts, administered by the Tonawandas' Council on the Arts/Carnegie Art Center. Additional funds were provided by Target, as part of their ongoing support provided to local communities throughout the country.
All workshops are open to the public and a nominal fee will be charged for supplies. Community participants must preregister by contacting Cindy Hyde at (716) 297-6400, ext. 267.
During the 90-minute workshops, local artists will teach basic skills in various media including painting, photography, jewelry making, cartooning and drawing to people with developmental disabilities served by Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara and interested community members. Three workshops will be held at the Niagara Arts and Cultural Center (NACC).
These art education workshops are designed to develop the artistic abilities within people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities, while promoting community integration through the inclusion of the community participants and student interns at each session. The workshops all occur in advance of Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara's 3 rd Annual Consumer Art & Fine Craft Show, scheduled for June 27.
The workshops, to be held at Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara sites and the NACC, are scheduled as follows:

• Thursday, March 29, 10:30 a.m. - Noon, Instructor: Karl Heerdt, Media: Drawing/Painting, Location: 107 Heath Street, Lockport

• Friday, March 30, 10:30 a.m. - Noon, Instructor: Karl Heerdt, Media: Drawing/Painting, Location: 1555 Factory Outlet Blvd., Niagara Falls

• Friday, March 30, 12:30 p.m. - 2 p.m., Instructor: Karl Heerdt, Media: Drawing/Painting, Location: 2510 Niagara Falls Blvd., Wheatfield

• Monday, April 2, 10 - 11:30 a.m., Instructor: Brea Roberts, Media: Paper-making, Location: 2510 Niagara Falls Blvd., Wheatfield

• Monday, April 2, 12:30 p.m. - 2 p.m., Instructor: Brea Roberts, Media: Paper-making, Location: 107 Heath Street, Lockport

• Tuesday, April 3, 10:30 a.m. - Noon, Instructor: Mae Theodorakos, Media: Photography, Location: 1555 Factory Outlet Blvd., Niagara Falls

• Tuesday, April 3, 12:30 p.m. - 2 p.m., Instructor: Mae Theodorakos, Media: Photography, Location: 2510 Niagara Falls Blvd., Wheatfield

• Wednesday, April 4, 10:30 a.m. - Noon, Instructor: Gretchen Doty, Media: Jewelry-making, Location: 1555 Factory Outlet Blvd., Niagara Falls

• Thursday, April 5, 10:30 a.m. - Noon, Instructor: Mae Theodorakos, Media: Photography, Location: 107 Heath Street, Lockport

• Monday, April 16, 10:30 a.m. - Noon, Instructor: Ruth Thomas, Media: Painting, Location: NACC, 1201 Pine Avenue, Niagara Falls

• Tuesday, April 17, 10:30 a.m. - Noon, Instructor: Kristen Walton, Media: Pottery, Location: NACC, 1201 Pine Avenue, Niagara Falls

• Wednesday, April 18, 10:30 a.m. - Noon, Instructor: Gus Posey, Media: Cartooning, Location: NACC, 1201 Pine Avenue, Niagara Falls

For more than 50 years, Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara has been providing training, employment, residential, recreation, health-related and support services to people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities, from newborn to seniors, and their families. The mission of the Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara Foundation is to provide a long-term source of financial support that ensures people with developmental disabilities have opportunities toward independence and integration within the community. For more information, visit www.opportunitiesunlimited.org.