Unified Arts showcase offers journey beyond stereotypes

Thirteen middle schoolers from across Salem-Keizer Public Schools participated in a Unified Arts showcase Friday at Judson Middle School in Salem.

Special Olympics Unified Sports is known for breaking down stereotypes about people with intellectual disabilities by bringing together athletes of all backgrounds. The same goal was true for the second-annual Unified Arts Camp at Judson — trading basketball and soccer for paintbrushes and pianos.

Friday's event, which served as the capstone for the three-day camp highlighting Vincent van Gogh, included art pieces, songs, dances and speeches from the students, all to the theme "For the Love." Dozens of educators and families sat in the school cafeteria as they cheered on the performers.

"The goal of art is not to make this final product to show other people," music coach Kandi West told the audience. "The goal of art is this journey, the experience of it, because you learn so much about yourself.

"Music and movement allow us to feel and express the things that you can't express with words," she added.

Contact education reporter Natalie Pate at npate@statesmanjournal.com, 503-399-6745, Twitter@NataliePateGwin, or Facebook atFacebook.com/nataliepatejournalist.