Announcing the Donald O'Malley Art Program Coming to Oak Forest

There is decades of research to prove that art can impact kids in significant ways but you don't have to read scientific research papers to see the emotional and physical benefits, just look in on an art class. Art has an impact on brain wave patterns, emotions, and it actually raises serotonin levels, the happy hormone in our brains.

Researchers, teachers and professionals agree, if you want smarter, happier and more productive kids, you should increase the amount of art classes in schools. Even with all this knowledge, art classes are being reduced, and many times eliminated from curriculum all over America and Oak Forest is no exception.

Get Up and Help, a non profit in Oak Forest, has a mission is to help the residents of Oak Forest, especially its youth, and feel that an extracurricular art program with no barriers is a great place to start. Introducing the Donald O'Malley Art Program starting October 1st, 2018.

The Donald O'Malley Art Program is a culmination of a life lived through Art and the inspiration to give back to community. Donald O'Malley was an artist, a husband, a father. He was a beloved man who made a profession out of the art he dedicated his life to.

His pursuit of happiness through visual arts, specifically sculpting, is a life well lived and celebrated by his family. Mr. O'Malley passed away in January of 2018 and as a tribute to his love of art and the positive effects it had on his life, his wife Debbie of 43 years, wanted to contribute to an art program. Get Up and Help is honored to be the recipient and proud to announce this art program in his memory.

This art program will consists of two segments; one for beginners and the other for the advanced. We believe both are important. We would like to create new artists and hone the skills of those that are already skilled.

Supplies will be provided for all classes. We will offer Beginners Painting, Beginners Sculpting, Beginners Illustration and an Advance Art Group for Teens. Get Up and Help has a no-barriers philosophy for all its programs. What this translates into is, we don't want to turn anyone away because their family might not have the money to pay for one of our classes.

In the spirit of this philosophy, the cost of our classes can be defrayed a number of ways. You can pay the small per class fee, you can donate household items such as clothing or electronics, or you can volunteer your time. All compensations will be worked out before the class begins.

All of our classes and groups will be held at the Tichan House at the Oak Forest Park District. 15601 Central Ave, Oak Forest, IL 60452 .

You can go to www.getupandhelp.org for information on the classes that will be offered. This will be a pilot program with more classes added after the initial 4 week start up period. Registration will begin in September. If can send questions to mgangolf@getupandhelp.org.