Patrons wandered about Octavia Fellin Children’s Branch Sept. 8, enjoying refreshments and taking in all the various types of arts and crafts on display. The occasion was the opening reception of an exhibit of works by residents at the Coyote Canyon Rehabilitation Center.
According to Coyote Canyon’s mission statement, “CCRC, Inc. is a non-profit organization that provides quality person-centered supports and assistance to adults with developmental disabilities to achieve independence and freedom of choice.”
Located on East Navajo Route 9 in Brimhall, the organization offers day habilitation, community living and employment services. The art department offers arts and crafts, allowing for creative exploration and giving residents tools to sell their work to the public.
And this is exactly what the exhibit at the Changes Children’s Branch offered — CCRC brought various items for sale, including jewelry, paintings, photography and woodwork.
One resident, Farrell Saltwater, was on hand to display and sell his paintings and woodwork. One particular wood piece was a unique rock-and-roll guitar made out of wood and other items. The guitar was painted red and black with a heavy metal design.
“I shaped it out and got some bits and pieces and I just put it all together,” Saltwater said. “I then did the back and painted it over like Freddy Kruegers’ t-shirt [laughing].”
Saltwater, who said he likes rock music and to sing, wanted his piece to be like one of his favorite heavy metal bands, Metallica.
Saltwater also had with him a painting with woodwork attached to it called “Long Live Rock.” It was a painting of the famous rock monolith “Shiprock” in Shiprock, N.M. at night.
“I just wanted to paint it and put some wood to make it look like how it feels,” Saltwater said.
Resident Julie Yazzie was also showcasing her talent in the art of jewelrymaking. She crafted her pieces from items she gathered at the CCRC art department.
“I make these,” She said.
Francesco Bufaro, a community living trainer who assists Yazzie, was there to help her explain her beautiful jewelry.
“Basically, I help her and assist her in living everyday, like helping her cook, cleaning, and other people assist her, too,” Bufaro said. “She even has a job there as a janitor.”
Yazzie is one of many who take advantage of the art department at CCRC, where the residents create art in various mediums. All exhibition proceeds go back to the organization, and the residents’ works are created to enhance their skills, Bufaro said.
“We like for them to make their own art and it helps them, and it’s fun, too,” he said.
Markos Chavez, a technology trainer at Octavia Fellin, said the CCRC group was there a year ago, and the library wanted to have them back again for this event.
“It was a joint-venture that they’ve done a show here before about a year ago, and it was a great way to showcase their artwork once again, and we had the space available and we were more than happy to accommodate,” he said. “I think it’s great every time we’ve had them, and they’ve always had some unique pieces and it’s neat to see a lot of the colors and the creativity that goes into them.”
Saltwater’s wooden guitar was one of Chavez’s favorite pieces on display, along with a shield made with feathers.
“I really love that piece and I might even purchase that one,” he said.
For more information about the Octavia Fellin Public Library, contact (505) 863-1291; for more information on CCRC, Inc., call (505) 735-2261 or visit: www.ccrcnm.org.
By Dee Velasco
For the Sun