Special needs children join high school students in creating
massive work of art for Activities Center.

[view:node_ad=5]Friday afternoon, the City of Santa
Clarita and the Special Children’s Art Foundation
celebrated the completion of a massive mural at the Santa Clarita Activities
Center.

The mural depicts all the activities that take place
regularly at the Aquatics Center,
gymnasium and Activities Center.
The Santa Clarita Sports Complex is also currently building an addition
that
will add to those capabilities.

The mural also features some special needs athletes, which
underscores the overall effort behind the 15 ft by 30 ft painting.

“We design and develop these projects to be painted by
special needs children, with inclusion of main stream peer student help,” said Marc
Kolodziejczyk, who heads up the Special Children’s Art Foundation.

That type of teamwork between the two normally segregated
groups brings benefit to both.

“It’s a platform where we can create a social atmosphere for
children with special needs, and create another platform for tolerance building
with the main stream peer tutors,” he said.  

Roughly 270 students in the William
S. Hart School
District took part in crafting the mural over the
course of 2 months. It is the third mural the Special Children’s Art Foundation
has completed in Santa Clarita.

Often times, the Foundation says that the bond created
between the two students lasts well beyond the painting sessions.

“What’s really interesting is that a lot of the students who
become peer tutors to the special needs students become lifelong friends with
them,” Kolodziejczyk said. 

To learn more about the Special Children’s Art Foundation,
click here.

Marc
Kolodziejczyk places the dedication plaque on the mural.