By AMY ADAMS
For The Reporter
Janus Developmental Services is asking for the public’s help to classify and name a 3-foot-tall, brightly colored, mixed media sculpture created by some of its participants in its newly expanded and redesigned creative space.
Is it a dog? A lion? A unicorn? A completely new form of mythical animal? No one knows for sure, and that’s why they need your help.
Janus provides adult individuals with differing abilities the opportunities needed to develop skills that will help them be active participants in the community. Some of those opportunities include commission-based programs for exploring artistic talents and sharing their art with others. Janus has become known throughout the area for the unique gourd birdhouses and cute pet toys made by their participants.
However, the creative area at Janus Developmental Services has expanded exponentially since January. A grant from Hamilton County Community Foundation allowed Janus to bring in representatives from Creative Abundance Consulting in Columbus, Ohio, to help them rethink their small art studio. The result is an exponentially larger and completely revamped space that allows participants to engage in everything from sewing to painting to woodworking.
“The new art experience has really generated a lot of energy,” said Mary Jane Coffing, chair of the Janus board of directors.
The expansion provides the capacity for bigger, better, and even more creative projects. For example, there is now enough room for participants to enlarge their doodles onto large sheets that other participants have painted. The result has been whimsical collaborative pieces like Zoey the Dog, a larger-than-life wall hanging first drawn by a Janus participant named Annie.
The yet-to-be-named fanciful beast came about in much the same way with some participants building and some painting until the quirky 3D creature came to life.
“It’s inspiring to see the creativity that has emerged when our clients are given the opportunity to create,” Janus President and CEO Yolanda Kincaid said. “It’s been really great to see people blossom and engage in levels they hadn’t had the opportunity to before.”
You can find the one-of-a-kind creation on display this week in the Ignite Studio at Hamilton East Public Library in Fishers. Visit during regular library hours between now and April 16 and drop your name suggestion into the glass bowl. You can even complete a related DIY project to make a unicorn or add a few extra elements and create your own custom character.
Anyone can visit Ignite Studio which is a “use-organized” creative space for young and old alike.
The FabLab contains 3D printers, a laser engraver, and a vinyl cutter with a heat press. Four digital media labs each include a Mac computer and the Adobe Creative Cloud, and two of the labs are also equipped for post production on audio and video projects. From bracelet-making to calligraphy to watercolor painting, Ignite has a limited number of kits available for children and adults to check out and use in the space. They also have laptops with programs like Photoshop Elements and Corel Draw and three different types of Brother sewing machines available by reservation.
Hamilton East Public Library is located at 5 Municipal Drive in Fishers and is open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.
You can find more information about Janus Developmental Services online at janus-inc.org.