2020-2021
Currently Harmony offers art & music enrichment sessions and counseling services
for adults with developmental disabilities ages 22 and up
Monday - Friday from 10 - 3 pm
To fill out an application, click "Apply to Attend Harmony" on the menu above
for adults with developmental disabilities ages 22 and up
Monday - Friday from 10 - 3 pm
To fill out an application, click "Apply to Attend Harmony" on the menu above
Meet A Few of Harmony's Artists...
Rodney
Rodney was born on November 11, 1984 in Shreveport Louisiana. He currently lives in a group home in Austin, TX and visits his family regularly. Rodney loves to paint, draw, and create art using his vivid imagination and always has extensive dialog to go along with the symbols and images he chooses to use in his work that tells a story. Rodney sometimes struggles communicating his feelings verbally, “I can’t talk about it, but I can paint it.” As a Harmony participant since 2009, Rodney’s self esteem has grown tremendously since being involved with many art exhibitions through the Harmony art program. In addition to being a successful artist, Rodney is a musician. He plays harmonica and sings with the Sweet Harmony Band in live music venues all across Austin, TX.
Melissa
Melissa was born on June 27, 1983. She lives at home with her Mom & Dad in Dripping Springs, TX. Her favorite things in life are art & music, so she loves her time at Harmony every week and is a valued participant that adds to the fabric of creativeness. The symbols and images she uses in her art have to do with peace, love, and all things happy. She is a prolific artist in her favorite medium of acrylic. She uses bright colors to help convey her message of happiness. Her folk art style makes her work personable and gives viewers a sense of familiarity. Melissa also sings with The Sweet Harmony Band and loves to be on stage and showcase her talent and love for music. Since 2009, Melissa has been attending Harmony and has created hundreds of paintings that grace the walls of her friends, family, and fans all over Texas. Her work is loved by many. She is a very special young woman with a bright future ahead as an accomplished artist and musician!
Michael
Michael was born on March 31, 1962. He lives in a group home in Austin, TX. Michael is on the autism spectrum and almost completely nonverbal. He enjoys making art at Harmony every day and chooses art making over music when given the choice. His favorite media include wax crayon on watercolor paper. He’s developed a technique where he pushes small pieces of crayon into the paper using a back and forth motion and the heat of his hand. The paper he creates is then used a collage material for fellow Harmony artists in collaborative pieces. Some of the paper is rolled into straws which are then glued on different cut out shapes of wood. Michael’s artistic talents are connecting him to people despite his limited cognitive abilities. The happy linear figures Michael includes in his watercolor art offer an alternate way of communicating. After he completes the smiling faces, he stops and smiles back at them. He loves his routine and enjoys making art at Harmony every day. Michael is a pure joy to know. He’s a kind man with a gentle spirit.
Andrea
Andrea was born on October 15, 1978 in Austin, TX. She lives in a group home with two roommates and enjoys visiting her parents regularly. Andrea participates weekly in all of Harmony’s programs including the art, music, and work program through Harmony Books. Andrea is very creative and happy spirited. She’s not reserved on stage when singing with the Sweet Harmony Band, nor is she shy on ideas when it comes to visual art. Her favorite medium is watercolor. The art she creates has happy themes that often refer to childhood fairy tales. She uses text and images that are close to her heart. She’s funny, bright, and a delight to be around every day. Birthday celebrations are her favorite! She has many friends and family members she loves she loves socializing with. She enjoys her life and her art is a reflection of the love she shares with many.
Mandy
Mandy was born on June 7, 1979 in Austin, TX. She lives in a group home with two other roommates and a house mother. She is nonverbal, but very vocal. She draws figures in a childlike manner. Her art is free-spirited, which is a reflection of her personality. She loves to sing, dance, and make art at Harmony every day. Mandy also works with different textured strings that she twists and ties in knots to create unique strands used in collaborative pieces of art created with her fellow Harmony participants. She’s a delight to know and a good friend to have. By providing access to everything she needs to be successful, Harmony has helped Mandy fill the gap between her and the rest of the world.
Karen
Karen was born on May 3, 1976 in Elgin, TX. Currently she lives in a group home in Austin, TX with two other roommates and a house mother. She is a wonderful soul and bright shining light. She’s very caring and considerate of others, loved by many. Since participating in Harmony’s programs in 2011, Karen has transformed into a confident woman who has found her voice and inner strength through art and music. She performs regularly with the Sweet Harmony Band in venues all around Austin, TX. This once shy girl who struggled to converse is now communicating clearly and becoming involved with her community through art exhibits and live musical performances where she stands center stage. In her visual art, she uses blocks of color and linear features to paint about her favorite subject, music. Karen loves her life at Harmony every day and is always there to lend a helping hand to anyone that needs it. She has many friends and enjoys having a social outlet at Harmony.