Art Without Walls Celebrates 25 Years

Art Without Walls was officially established as a non-profit independent arts organization in 1985 but executive director Sharon Lippman has had an ongoing love affair with the arts for most of her life.

Celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, Art Without Walls is a unique program for students who want to go above and beyond the arts curriculum in school. "This program is a supplement to the art education kids receive in school," Lippman said. "Teachers in school are great but this is a catalyst that takes it beyond school. I think of it this way: School is the cake and I'm the frosting."

The program is designed to foster the education and aesthetics of the visual and fine arts as well provide art therapy, art workshops and cultural programs to the terminally ill and handicapped. Programs are available for children ages seven to 17 and they include everything from painting, sculptures, design, fashion, cartooning, film and interior decorating and creative writing.

Lippman is an experienced art historian, artist, educator, filmmaker and art therapist. She started formally teaching in 1976. "I come from Manhattan and I found this area was lacking an art program for children through young adults who were interested in art. I wanted to start a program that was more like the city. This is for parents who wanted a more professional program. I was working in the Metropolitan Museum of Art and I met a parent who was interested in private art classes and writing classes and it kind of made a connection. Since 1976 I've been giving private art classes on a fine art level," she said.

Lippman stresses that Art Without Walls is a total enrichment program. "We incorporate a cultural background, art history and children learn about artists," she said. "We play art history games. It gives children an extremely good background in the fine arts. We also focus on portfolio development for colleges."

Lippman says the program allow children to use their own personal experience. She is also very big on working outside the classroom environment and the kids go on many trips to museums and theatres. "It incorporates all facets of education; they get to learn about history through the fine arts, so they are really getting an academic and art background," Lippman said. "When I take students on the trips, which have become famous in our area, it's the parents who get excited. Here is a chance for the parents to share an interest with their children through a hands-on learning experience."

Children come from all over Suffolk County to take part in the program. "It is so important for children to be with other children who enjoy the same interests as they do," Lippman said.

Lippman is also reaching out to those in need. "In addition to the regular classes, I am a very strong believer in community service," she said. "Being an art therapist, I am an expert in autism and adults with disabilities. The common denominator in art as long as you can function, you can create artwork." Art Without Walls also donates their artwork to hospitals, performs original plays, conducts art games in the pediatrics and geriatrics wards, and paint murals.

"The handicapped are not doing the traditional kind of artwork but everything has a personal point of view," Lippman said. "My students are doing a still life that has to do with their own personal life. The work is truly original, using new mediums and materials. They get to expand their point of view. Living on Long Island, it's very easy to be ostracized if you aren't like anyone else; but when you are in the art form, it's to your advantage to be different."

Classes are held on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to noon for ages seven to 12, and from noon to 2 p.m. for ages 13 to 17. Special classes are held at various times throughout the week and at different locations. For more information, call 567-9418.