Over the years, many artistic people with special needs have been referred to the Project Friendship Society. At one time, the Prince George art community was resistant to welcoming people with disabilities. Their reasoning was that these people had no formal training or experience in their area of art. They were uncertain of people with disabilities and were not willing to give them a chance to develop their artistic skills.

Former coordinater, Sandra Narhornoff, developed our Social Art Programs to give artist people with special needs art experiences so they could join mainstream art groups. Being accepted and respected as an artist in the community is a lot more rewarding and empowering than being isolated by the community because you have schizophrenia, a brain injury, illness or intellectual disability. Also, for someone who is isolated by their disability the opportunity to participate in an activity they enjoy, regardless of their talent level, is fun and creates social contacts and hopefully friendships.

Recreational activities have been added this year to give those who are not interested in our arts programs or who want additional activities the opportunity to participate in sports and recreational activities.

The Project Friendship art and recreation programs have evolved in four areas:

1. Oil Painting Classes
2. Joyful Tone Singers
3. No Name Brand Theatre Company
4. Ricochet Recreation (Ric Rec)

Oil Painting Classes:

History: The Project Friendship Society started the oil painting classes thanks to the support of the Artist Co-op Workshop & Gallery in July 1997. The Co-op provides the classroom and volunteer instructors. Classes are offered three times a year in eight week sessions. Participants pay a session fee to help cover Co-op rent. Project Friendship provides the supplies with the support of BC Gaming and donations from the Knights of Columbus.

The classes have been very successful thanks to the enthusiasm of our participants and the dedication of our instructors. Our current treasurer Marlene Taylor is coordinating the program and teaches along with fellow instructors Velma Senner and Marna Tuffnell. Each student has developed their own unique styles and skills and lasting friendships. They host annual exhibits, which are well attended. Whether the students display their collection of artwork, give it away or sell it, they are proud of their accomplishments and have become recognized for their artistic abilities.

Oil Painting Classes (for people with special needs)
Wednesday's - April 2012
Time: 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Location: Artist Co-op Workshop & Gallery (2302 Hart Hwy)
Fees: $30.00 per session, supplies included
Art Shows: TBA
Social & Recreation Coordinator: Lois Bittner
Tel: 250-564-5642
Email: loisbittner@hotmail.com

The Joyful Tone Singers:

History:The choir was formed in the summer of 1999 to accommodate people with special needs who loved to sing and wanted to join a choir. We thought it would be easy to involve them into local choirs, but every choir we approached wanted to know if they could read music and/or if they had choir experience. Unfortunately, the answer to both questions was no. After running out of options we formed our own choir. Our first choir director was Don Haley followed by Joyce Bickford, a member of the Cantata Singers accompanied by pianist Gail Sweder.

Lois Bittner our assistant coordinator currently organizes the choir with Joyce directing and is accompanied by Sigrid Gutteridge on piano. The choir performs at our annual spring Connection Celebration and events such as the Children's Festival. Everyone enjoys the choir, we have some participants who can't sing, but they clap or hum along expressing the joy they receive from participating in the music. The choir is open to everyone. We are open to sharing our music in the community on Tuesday afternoons.

Joyful Tone Singers
Dates: Tuesdays - start date January 10th, 2012
Time: 1:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Location: First Baptist Church (483 Gillett Street and 5th Avenue)
Fees: $10.00 annually (includes Project Friendship Society membership)
Performances: Spring Connection Celebration March 2010
Choir Director: Joyce Bickford - member of Cantata Singers
Social & Recreation Coordinator: Lois Bittner
Tel: 250-564-5642
Email: loisbittner@hotmail.com

The No Name Brand Theatre Company:

History:In 2002, Project Friendship formed the theatre company to give people with special needs acting experience. Bas Rynsewyn of Serious Moonlight Productions has donated his time and talent remove since to teach and produce the groups many short and long productions. They wrote their first production entitled the "Road to Independence". Where they presented a collection of short skits based on TV show themes with the focus on living independently with disabilities. They perform at our annual Connection Celebration each spring, Aimhi's Christmas party and 50th Anniversary and the Can Do Festival.

Their first scripted production was the "Melancholy King", written by Cynthia Livingstone, which ran four nights and was very successful and full of laughs. They are currently preparing the sequel, the "Melancholy Wizard", which will be performed in the 2009/2010 season. The company welcomes new actors.

No Name Brand Theatre Company
Dates: Mondays - Class start September 19, 2011
Time: 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Location: First Baptist Church (483 Gillett Street and 5th Avenue)
Fees: $10.00 annually (includes Project Friendship Society membership)
Productions: Melancholy Wizard & Road to Independence
Performances: TBA
Social & Recreation Coordinator: Lois Bittner, Project Friendship Society
Tel: 250-564-5642
Email: loisbittner@hotmail.com

Ricochet Recreation (New - Old) Program:

History:Project Friendship would like to thank the Kinsmen for donating the hall for the first year, 2009/2010 season, along a storage area and a television set, you're the best! Also, we'd like to thank the Knights of Columbus for donating a Karaoke machine, which is a big hit. Now it is 2012 and our sessions have become such a hit that our membership has grown from just 35 special needs members to 65. With support staff and drop in members we have upwards of 75 to 110 participants attending weekly. None of this would be possible without our 10 wonderful volunteers, thank you.

Ricochet Recreation
Dates: Wednesdays - September to June
Time: 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Location: Kinsmen Community Complex (777 Kinsman Place)
Fees: $10.00 annually (includes Project Friendship Society membership)
Door charge: $2 per session
Social & Recreation Coordinator: Lois Bittner
Tel: 250-564-5642
Email: loisbittner@hotmail.com
Click here for the Ric Rec January to June 2012 schedule!