“”LA CROSSE, Wis., (June 1, 2021) – Special education students district-wide in La Crosse participated in a unique and inclusive Zot Artz art experience thanks, in part, to various area grants including those from the La Crosse Public Education Foundation, La Crosse SOUP, and the La Crosse Area Autism Foundation.
Zot Artz tools bring the joy of creative expression to people of all abilities. The art materials are adapted to allow children with physical, cognitive, and emotional disabilities more opportunities to create art by removing barriers. The experience empowers all individuals by designing increased options for meaningful participation, social interactions, and inclusive art-making.
Each La Crosse school participated in the Zot Artz events. There were various tools available including pogo painter stamps, specialized rollers, and wheelchair hookups. A Zot Artz artist trained district therapists in how to use all of the art tools. The district now owns the new art tools and will be able to integrate them into future art curriculum and events.
“The arts have a strong connection to general academic success for all students who are able to participate in integrated learning experiences,” said School District of La Crosse physical therapist Lindsey Shay. “We want to empower all of our students to be able to express themselves through art-rich experiences while providing a sense of accomplishment, success, and unity across our district.”
Students created a poster-sized work of art to take home and contributed their creative talents to a floor mural painting given to each school to display. The large-scale school pieces are 5×25 foot murals (12×25 foot murals at schools with students participating in wheelchairs, allowing for more space for a turning radius.)
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