Northeast Arc client Paul Ouellette’s jewelry-making skills landed him a job with a Marblehead jeweler.
BY PAUL HALLORAN
PEABODY — Paul Ouellette is taking advantage of the opportunities presented to him by ArcWorks, a program of Northeast Arc that strives for inclusion for people with and without disabilities.
Ouellette, a Lynnfield resident, has been participating in the Peabody-based ArcWorks program since last year. Working in the Shine jewelry program, Ouellette has become so proficient in the bracelet- and necklace-making process he has been hired by Patsy Kane, a Marblehead jeweler, to produce braided bracelets.
“I like making jewelry,” Ouellette said. “I like the way it turns out in the end. I see jewelry in a new light now.”
Ouellette is able to do his work for Kane three hours a week, from the ArcWorks site.
“I feel like I am doing very well,” he said. “Patsy said she is impressed with my work. Braiding seemed very difficult at first. As time went on, I learned more and more. I learned the correct method and now I do it well. I’m proud.”
Kane said Ouellette is indeed doing great work.
“I’m thrilled with the quality of the work Paul has completed for us,” she said. “We’re so grateful for all the help and support we’ve received in starting our local business. Northeast Arc worked hand in hand with us to make this happen. We hope to continue our partnership with Paul and Northeast Arc.”
Elise Snow, product design manager for Heritage Handmade at ArcWorks, said Ouellette’s experience with the Shine jewelry program gave him confidence to pursue other opportunities, which led to the job with Kane.
ArcWorks, which started in 2004 and moved to its Foster Street location in 2011, provides artistic opportunities to people of all abilities. ArcWorks features rotating curated and juried exhibitions in its gallery, monthly classes and workshops, and the Gallery Shop, where a variety of handmade items by regional artists are sold.
Susan Ring Brown, director of development for Northeast Arc, said ArcWorks Community Art Center, was envisioned as an opportunity for artists with and without disabilities to sell their artwork side by side. Everybody who exhibits in the gallery shows has an opportunity to sell their work. The gallery features rotating exhibits by regional artists in a variety of media that are free and open to the public.
The gallery includes mostly visual art, with an emphasis on paintings and photography.
Different exhibits are on display year-round and each change-over includes an opening reception to give those interested a chance to meet the artists.
The 2016 “Dog Days of Summer” juried exhibit opened July 14 and runs for seven weeks. The juror for the show is Shoshana Resnikoff, an assistant curator at the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem.
One of the lines featured in the Gallery Shop is hand-made Shine jewelry, which is crafted by people with disabilities at the center. Brown said participants make the beaded jewelry out of materials such as metal, leather and crystal.
Northeast Arc also operates the Autism Support Center North of Boston, for which Shine was commissioned to create autism awareness bracelets. Shine jewelry is also sold at the Peabody
Essex Museum Gift Shop, Salem Farmers Market and Scribe Paper & Gift, among other places.
“It’s another employment opportunity for folks with disabilities to develop an income and work skills,” said Brown.
The art center also includes Heritage Caning Co., another Northeast Arc business employing people with disabilities.
“When we bring about change for people with disabilities, we bring about change for everybody,” said Jo Ann Simons, CEO of Northeast Arc.
One of the spaces Brown is excited about at ArcWorks is a vacant warehouse which is being converted to a black box theater for plays and performances. She said several local improvisation groups have expressed interest in making use of the space. Some see the theater as bringing together the downtown cultural district.
“We are very proud to be part of the broader community to strengthen and promote the creative economy in Peabody,” Brown said.
Northeast Arc was founded in 1954 by the parents of children with developmental disabilities who wanted to raise their sons and daughters as full members of the community. The organization serves more than 9,000 people from 190 cities and towns. Its mission is to help people with disabilities become full participants in the community, by choosing for themselves how to live, work, socialize and play.