Play the Marrakech Express song that helped inspire the
founding of Marrakech, Inc.:
Thanks to Graham Nash of Crosby, Stills, and Nash for the use of
this copyrighted material.
Whether it's painting or paper mache, drawing and coloring, or even making pottery,
Allie Shippy is happiest when he's creating. This painting is one of 30
created for one of our staff when she was on medical leave. This Easter,
Allie made 40 paper mache baskets at his home at Osborn House and brought
them to LEAP, his Marrakech day program. Some of the baskets were brightly
colored from the colored paper he used. Others were white. He gave a basket
to each of the other program participants and was delighted when his friends
painted and decorated his white baskets.
Allie prefers to work on his art alone, but joins in with current events and
fiesta time with music and dancing. Though most his work is from his own
imagination, he sometimes draws things he sees on TV.
Benjamin Peterson
Benjamin drew this memorable picture of the World Trade Center in New York. "I
liked the Twin Towers," he says, "and wanted to draw them."
Benjamin had his first exposure to drawing and art at ACES. He has art class
for two hours each day and has learned the basics of drawing. Though he
prefers to use both plain pencils and colored pencils, he also uses markers
to add color. Michael Jackson is a favorite subject in his drawings; and
he likes to draw monster trucks, cars, and buildings or houses with trees
and flowers.
Benjamin, who is just 20 years old, lives with his family in New Haven in
a home that Marrakech purchased and renovated that is safe and affordable.
He likes to play basketball and also watch it on TV. His favorite team is
the Washington Wizards. He shares household chores with his Mom and brothers
and likes to cook, be it spaghetti, meat loaf or baked or fried chicken.
Glenn Hanson
Glenn has a heart as full as the one he made, shown here. He likes to be active,
whether it's creating with his hands, practicing for Special Olympics, or
working in his garden at Lyda House where he has lived for 8 1/2 years.
"I used to collect tongue depressors and had about 2000," Glen remembers.
My family showed me how to glue them together to make things. I like gluing
wood to make barns, houses, and boxes. And I like to paint them."
Glenn really enjoys Special Olympics and is especially proud of his medals.
He often wears as many as 12 around his neck. His garden is also a wonderful
project. He grows all kinds of tomatoes, cabbage, carrots, giant pumpkins,
sunflowers and giant marigolds, all of which he cares for and shares with
his Lyda family.
Stuart Harrison
For the past 17 years Stuart has lived in a Marrakech group home.
He likes to go bowling, enjoys eating out, and especially likes going to
the movies or watching a video at home.
During the day Stuart participates in the ARC Vocational Pro Hamden. It
is there that he has explored art mediums through various projects. The
Tulip is created using small wads of colored tissue in yellow, orange,
and green. These are glued to the paper giving an interesting and attractive
three-dimensionsl effect. Stuart has created a bright welcome to Spring.
Florence Orange
Painting is her passion "I can't just sit I have to paint because colors are beautiful
If I paint, it lifts my spirits up" affirms Florence.
Florence's paintings are indeed vibrant and joyous. She has enjoyed painting
since she was a child, when she used to sell her work to members of her
church to help out at home. Though she is self-taught, she has learned
to work in acrylics, oils, and watercolor. She likes to draw, too.
Florence is happiest painting with music on and people around her. She
would like to start an art group called Hands of Love.
"If you can make a circle, no matter what your talents, you can do art,"
she urges.
Jean Kohary
Jean
Kohary is all about sociability She pops into the office to say hello
and is soon is back with a picture - flowers, a heart - just to make you
feel good. Her enthusiasm Jean came to Marrakech 16 years ago She lives
in her own apartment in New Haven she delights in the antics of her cat,
Bubbles. When a friend told her about Creative Arts Workshop on Audubon
Street, Jean enrolled in classes. She prefers watercolor, but also likes
drawing with markers and enjoys photography. "I see things in my mind
and then put it on paper," she says.