A Safe and Inclusive Space Step into the Sunday Circle art room, and you’ll immediately feel it: joy, curiosity, and a calm kind of energy. “The room is always busy,” Sue says. “There’s a buzz in the air—and everyone is happy.” That’s no accident. Creating an inclusive, welcoming space is at the heart of Sue and Lisa’s work. “It’s not about what the final project looks like,” Lisa explains. “It’s about how much the kids enjoy the experience of making it.” “ I do believe that art and the opportunity it presents to immerse ourselves in something so open ended and creative is a gift we can give to all the buddies at FC .” Some of the most beloved activities are also the simplest. Sensory bags filled with pom-poms, foam shapes, and hair gel were a crowd favorite. “It was gooey, squishy, and fun—but without the mess,” Lisa says. “Every kid could enjoy it at their own pace.” Other projects encouraged teamwork. “Bubble painting was a blast,” she recalls. “Some kids loved blowing the bubbles, others popping them—but everyone left smiling, and a bit soapy.” This shared creativity helps break down social barriers. “Some of our boys have trouble making eye contact or starting conversations,” Sue shares. “But through art, they were working side by side, building trust—without needing to say a word.” Studies support this, showing that shared creative experiences foster connection and reduce social anxiety (Dewey, 1934; McNerney et al., 2018). Lisa adds, “Some kids who can’t seem to stop moving will connect with the art supplies and find meaning in them in
their own way. It really is so special.” More Than Just Projects
To an outsider, it might look like just paint, glue, or playdough. But these materials hold power. “The projects are more than just the mess they create,” Sue says. “They help build confidence, problem-solving skills, and emotional strength.” 4
More Than A Mess: The Magic of Sensory Art for Kids
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