By Mark Ambrogi
A $1,000 grant from Indiana First Lady’s Charitable Foundation is helping Janus Development Services’ Aktion Club with its annual art fair.
“Janus Developmental Services is one of those organizations that is doing great work for our Hoosier children and families and it is an honor to recognize them today,” stated Karen Pence, wife of Gov. Mike Pence.
The award will support Aktion Club Art Fair, to be held from 1 to 4 p.m. May 14 at Janus Development Services, 1555 Westfield Rd., Noblesville.
Aktion Club, which started in 2010 and is sponsored by the Kiwanis Club, is a community service club for adults with disabilities. For 37 years, Janus has helped provided individuals with disabilities the opportunity to participate within the community.
The grant was used primarily for paint, canvas, brushes and other supplies.
“They (club members) work in small groups,” said Shannon Smith, director of day services. “They’ve been preparing for the art fair since January.”
Club member Allison Howell, a Westfield resident, enjoys making art.
“I like to express myself with so many of my favorite paintings,” Howell said, who painted a picture of her golden retriever with a soccer ball.
This is the club’s third art fair. It started when a member, John Brownfield, of the program died in 2014.
“The members of Aktion Club wanted to do something specific in his memory, and that’s where the Art Fair came from,” Smith said. “The proceeds from this event (art fair) go to a local school or special education program in Hamilton County. Last year, it went to Noblesville High School’s special education program. This year it will go to Westfield. This is by far the biggest fundraiser they’ve done,” Smith said.
