We believe that everyone has something to teach and everyone has something learn. We can make the world a better place by including and honoring people for their abilities. What may be seen as limitations to some, can also be seen as gifts to others. People with all types of abilities deserve to live the lives they choose, and as independently as they can. Everyone has the right to explore the arts and nature. This isn’t always the case for people who are seen as their disability and not seen for their abilities. By learning and sharing our talent with each other we help to build understanding and connections.
While advocates for change we also work to do away with labels and stereotypes that harm people. At times people use words in regular conversation, even prominent people use these words without even knowing how hurtful and demeaning they are. We have self help books with titles with these offensive terms. Some people use these words to deliberately insult somebody's intellect. For others these terms are so common that they use them to refer to themselves. These words are being removed from NH's documents. We can help to strike them from everyday speech by pausing, apologizing for the slip and use a different word.
We are a small grassroots organization focusing on what people can do and what they want to do as they explore creative arts and nature. We do not have any paid employees in our organization. We sell our artwork, build cottage industries, facilitate workshops, and receive private donations that all help to provide materials. We believe everyone and every organization should give what they can and also share, materials, and our talents with other people and organizations when we can. We are outgrowing our space but the space we use is also donated as well. We are grateful for what we have and dream of the day we have our own space where we can offer even more.
We believe everyone has the right to have access to the arts and nature and should have opportunities to explore their personal interests in these areas as well as the experience of discovering new ones. Being involved in art and nature does more than enhance individual skills it enhances our world. People's personal funding limitations should not impede these rights. People are welcome to donate what they can and want to here at the studio but are not required to do so. We want all people to have access to the arts and nature and do not want of personal funds to limit people's exploration of their interests in these areas.
“Everyone has the right to explore their personal creativity and should have the opportunity to enhance their life, and share their gifts with others.”
Barbara Wilson 2009
