The Canvas was founded in 2006 as the community outreach and day habilitation program for REACH, an independent non-profit organization serving people who experience disabilities since 1970. We are dedicated to supporting the life-long discovery process through the arts. Our goals, which we achieve through direct services and programming, are to provide a supportive environment that fosters creativity and inclusion through shared art experiences and exhibitions for our community. People eligible for the dayhab program are those who experience a developmental disability and are interested in art.

A Typical Day:
Classes are offered Monday through Friday 9am-12pm and 1pm-4pm; Tuesday and Wednesday 4:30pm-6pm. Local and guest artists instruct the class using a hands on approach; Canvas staff provide additional support as needed. The structure of the class allows students to work at a suitable pace, tap into and develop their own artist style, and, at the instructor’s discretion, work on an independent project. There is time dedicated for expression through other art forms, such as music and movement.

Benefits of the Canvas:
Benefits of the day habilitation program include development of artistic ability and vision, improved communication, enhanced self expression, a structure environment, increased independence, opportunity to exhibit and sell art work, and a social environment. Canvas staff incorporate applicable individual goals in the class structure.

Though the Canvas is open to the community to attend evening and weekend classes and view exhibits in the gallery, programming for people with disabilities is a major component of the art center. To maintain a structured and creative environment, the dayhab classes are not open to the general public at this time.

If you are interested in teaching or volunteering, call or email MK MacNaughton at 586-1750, mk@canvasarts.org