Arc Angels Spread Their Wings

  Ocean City- Local artist James Penland spends Monday afternoons at the Ocean City Fine Arts League teaching his “Arc Angels” developmentally disabled adults who are clients of the Arc of Atlantic County an organization that promotes the welfare of people with mental disabilities and develops programs for them.

  Penland, who founded the Art League in 2001, has been an Ocean City resident and professional artist for 50 years. He teaches art classes, lectures and also exhibits his drawings and paintings in galleries and private collections worldwide.

  Two years ago Joanne Bernadini, also of Ocean City and a volunteer with the Arc of Atlantic County asked Penland for a donation for a silent auction to benefit the organization. “Jim not only gave me a framed print for the auction but also offered to establish a community outreach program that would enrich the lives of the developmentally disabled adults through the arts.” Bernadini said. “He has taken these adults from the very basic levels of art appreciation to actually creating works of art of their own. I call them Arc Artists but Jim dubbed them his “Arc Angels” because of his fondness for them.

  Penland also gave the Arc Angels their own show at the Fine Arts League. It was very successful. Many of the artists have sold some of their works and even entered juried competitions. Two of them recently won places in a calendar that is being produced by the prestigious Elwyn Institute in Pennsylvania. One artist’s still life in a show called “Art in Bloom” sold for more than $425.

  “Jim has taken the Arc clients to social functions and introduced them to people in the arts community.” Bernadini said. “He’s helped them build their confidence and self-esteem. They were shy and apprehensive at first when Jim started working with them and now have a profound sense of self- accomplishment due to this art program. Doing art has a very calming effect on them. We’ve all watched them just flourish through this program.”

  Penland teaches the Arc Angels at no charge but art supplies are very expensive but Bernadini and her friend Dorothy Wilkinson, also of ocean City have organized a fundraiser; “A Candlelight English Tea” to be held Sunday at Bernadini’s home. The event the event will also raise funds for one of Wilkinson’s favorite charities, the Ocean City Humane Society, which is a no–kill shelter and helps educate the public through programs and clinics.

  On a recent Monday afternoon, Arc Angels were hard at work making what Penland calls “Happy Cats” a variety of cats each with its own personality, from an orange cat with wings to a white cat with striped socks and a halo. When finished, the cats will grace the cover of Christmas cards that will be sold to benefit the Fine Arts League.

  We don’t copy anything,” Penland said. “I teach the basic shapes and do the outlining for the arts projects we do, but my Arc artists have to actually draw and paint themselves. Each of them comes up with the most amazing works. I just guide them along.”

  Although Penland said it takes a lot of patience and time to teach the Arc clients, he has a passion for doing it and hopes to expand the program to the Arc of Cape May County.

  “These people give me back so much,” Penland said. “I have no children of my own so to me they’re all my kids. Monday afternoons I receive the warmest hugs and smiles from all of them. I had one woman who never ever smiled but once she came in with a big box full of art supplies and when I made a fuss over them, she gave me the biggest smile and from then on she’s come here with that smile on her face. That’s just one example of how much I get back from this group.”

  “The art they produce is so unencumbered, nothing is preconceived.” Penland added. “I think that’s what draws people to their work. Their art has a childlike innocence to it. The beauty of their souls just comes out in their artwork