Posted By Janet Lawson, MFT on August 12, 2013

The Autistry Model Employment Program launched in June. The program is designed to give hands-on, real-world job experience to Autistry students who have completed at least one semester of the Core Workshop Program.

We began with two students, Connor and Ian and a teeny tiny budget. But even at this small size we are seeing a huge impact – the products are amazing and we have a long line of students who want to get into this program. The students are learning many new skills including how to work as a team and how to build customer-driven designs.

The first commissioned piece was a 4’x 4′ garden shed. This order was very special as it came from Dr. Bryna Siegel who 15 years ago diagnosed Ian with autism. She was delighted to be our first customer. Ian and Connor worked very hard and were proud of their first project.

We have several in-house projects lined up and we are accepting orders for commissioned pieces. If you would like to discuss a project email Dan: dan@autistry.com.

We are all very excited about the upcoming 2nd Annual Autistry Faire: Cardboard Carnival on Sunday, October 27th. The Faire is our main fundraiser and supports the Opportunity Fund which provides scholarships and sliding scale fees to moderate/low income students. The Faire also supports the expansion of Autistry programs and the new Model Employment Program. For this year’s Faire we are really rocking the house.

The centerpiece of the Faire is a 40-foot-long racetrack for remote-controlled cars. The giant racetrack is being built by Autistry staff and students with help from the artists of The Cardboard Institute of Technology. One of the sponsorship opportunities is to sponsor a 30-40 mph 21-inch long RC racecar. Your car will be customized by Autistry students to your specifications to promote your support of Autistry Studios. We will host a VIP Racetrack Social the night before the Faire where you can race head-to-head against other sponsors while enjoying cocktails and a special tour of our 10,000 sq. ft. facility. We are happy to have a car sponsored by a group of businesses, organizations, or families – we will make room for all the names and logos. This is fundraising at its most fun. Check out the other Racetrack sponsorship opportunities on our Sponsorship Page!

The Autistry Activity Booths are back! This year’s haunted extravaganza will be The Little Auto Shop of Horrors! Sara and Jeremy have retooled the Haunted Hospital into an automotive nightmare guaranteed to scare your lug-nuts off.

Courtenay returns to paint her fabulous One-of-a-Kind Face Art Creations. There will also be an all new Shooting Gallery, the Fishing Wall, Plinko Board, Bean Bag Toss and much, much more. You can support Autistry by sponsoring an Activity Booth – see our Booth Sponsorship page.

And…special live performances by amazing local bands.

Beso Negro has an all-star lineup of internationally experienced musicians who have brought drive and passion to Gypsy Swing. The love for tradition has collided with a modern sensibility and has transformed the genre into a vibrant new beast.

Marble Party is part indie rock, part power pop, and a hint of psychedelia. Their debut album Lyle has garnered rave reviews. “..unique sound that displays both precise musical acumen and a laid-back Northern California vibe all at once. The music satisfies on so many levels.”
 
 
 

We will also be joined by the Raks Rosa Dance Company.

This is a fundraiser but it is also a celebration of the wonderful world of autism!

Viva la difference! 
Put this on your calendars:
Sunday, Oct 27th, 2013
12-4pm
Autistry Studios,
37 Duffy Place, San Rafael

Tags:

This entry was posted by Janet Lawson, MFT on Monday, August 12th, 2013 at 6:53 pm and is filed under Studio Newsletters. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.