Last Wednesday evening, I was walking to my Metal Sculpture class at Creative Arts Workshop. As I entered Audubon Street, I looked to my right and saw Brian Valente and Support Counselor Omar Moore coming out of Neighborhood Music School. Brian had just finished his second African-Caribbean drumming class with Baba David Coleman. Brian had a big smile on his face. I asked him how his class went and he enthusiastically answered “Just great!” None of Brian’s supporters knew that he had a wonderful sense of rhythm– that is, not until he got behind one of David Coleman’s hand-made drums at Talents 2000.

When Brian entered the classroom on his first day of drum class, Baba Coleman smiled broadly, said “Hey! It’s my man!” and put his arm around Brian’s shoulder. Talk about warm and welcoming greetings! Brian was beaming.

Okay, back to Wednesday evening on Audubon Street! I said goodnight to Brian and Omar, then looked to my left and saw Doug Dwyer walking toward Creative Arts Workshop. Doug was on his way to a printmaking class taught by Maura Galante. Doug has been a regular in Maura’s printmaking class for 5 or 6 sessions now; he completes about six beautiful prints per class and must have over 100 monotypes in his portfolio.

Both Doug and Jeff Hunt were in those first printmaking classes. Doug, a seasoned New Haven Transit user, taught Jeff how to take the bus; they would ride together to their class each Monday morning. (Jeff now takes the bus by himself to his Saturday class– Hooray Jeffrey!)

For all of the benefits of this “buddy system”, there were also some drawbacks. At first, it seemed difficult for the other students in the class to see Doug and Jeff as distinctly different individuals. People seemed reluctant to approach either of them or initiate conversation. What brought Doug and Jeff together with their classmates turned out to be the magic of the printing press! One never quite knows how the press will smoosh and move the inks around, so there was an excitement as the paper was lifted up off the inked-up plate of Plexiglas (remember your surprise at the butterfly-like designs that happened when you would press a blob of ink between a folded piece of paper? It’s kind of like that!) Doug and Jeff would yell, “Anne, Anne, look!” as the print was revealed, other students would gather around the press with me to “ooh” and “aah” in approval.

Doug and Jeff are in different printmaking classes now; these meet their individual needs better (plus, it is easier for them to meet their classmates when they aren’t paired up). Maura continues to have a special friendship with both Doug and Jeff. She gets together with them outside of class to go shopping for supplies or frames. Maura called their apartments the day before the Student Show at Creative Arts Workshop to remind them about the opening reception and to make sure they would be attending. Jeff’s current printmaking teacher, Flo Hatcher, plays a role in encouraging the friendships in her classroom– she was planning a class field-trip to see Jeff’s prints on display at Talents 2000.

Both men have become familiar faces on Audubon Street, including Koffee?! At the opening of the Student Show, Gus, a Creative Arts Workshop employee, asked me, “Did Doug tell you that I said ‘hello’?” People who have become friends with Doug and Jeff asked me if they were going to be at the opening. Doug stopped into my metal sculpture class one Wednesday night. Ann Lehman, the instructor, said to Doug, “Now... I know you! You wait for the taxi cab to pick you up each Wednesday night!” This was my chance to introduce Doug by name and to let Ann know that he is a very talented artist (and that she could see his prints in the C.A.W. gallery!) One more connection built!

I was also instrumental (pun intended!) in introducing Tom Corbi and Tim Babbitt to drumming classes at Neighborhood Music School. Baba David Coleman has told me that Tim has become an integral part of his drumming class. Deborah Johnson takes voice lessons with Giacamo Gates, my former vocal coach. When I was there with Deborah at her first lesson, Giacamo looked at me and said, “Oh, so this is what your job is about...SOLID!” (Giacamo is one of those cool jazz cats who talks the lingo!)

He’s right, it is pretty solid! Sometimes I feel a little bit like a matchmaker: linking up people with mentors, based on potential for compatibility; finding classes, based on interest and ability. But I can only share that with which I am familiar. This is why the input of all team members and good communication with an individual’s circles of support are so vital. It is only through this team effort that people’s lives can be enriched in ways that truly reflect individual interests, abilities and potential.