MOBILE ART PROGRAM

Description: MAP delivers art supplies, instructors and volunteers to local nursing homes and senior activity centers in Austin, Texas. Our goals are to improve the lives of seniors and disabled adults by giving them an outlet for creative expression.

Target demographics: seniors and disabled adults who reside in nursing homes and those who attend senior activity centers and/or receive a free lunch from the City of Austin/Meals on Wheels (low-income areas of the city)

Direct beneficiaries per year: 400

Someone who had 3 hours of volunteer time could: sort art supplies for future projects, sit with a senior and encourage them during the activity

Geographic areas served: Austin, Texas

USA locations: Austin, Texas (Travis County)

Board Members and Affiliation: Director: Laura Wells
Laura works as the special projects coordinator for the Physician Oncology Education Program, and is currently pursuing a Bachelor's of Science in social psychology. Prior to working in public health, she served as the facility manager for the Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum for five years. Laura is a former board member for the Austin Circle of Theatres. In addition, she has volunteered for more than twenty years with various arts, health, and animal organizations, and has experience with long range and sustainability planning.

Secretary: Delia Kothmann Paskos, PhD
Delia received her BA in Psychology from Texas State University in 1998, her MS in Experimental Psychology from University of Texas San Antonio in 2000, and her PhD in Cognitive Psychology (Neuroscience Track) from Rice University in 2006. She is currently an Assistant Professor at St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas. Delia volunteers regularly in the Austin community, at Westoak Woods Baptist Preschool, and Baranoff Elementary School.

Treasurer: Jorja Perme
Jorja is a native Austinite, a grandmother, and a community volunteer. Jorja had worked as a clerk with the accounting firm of Coopers & Lybrand, a church secretary for Crossroads Baptist Church, and a preschool teacher at Elsass Academy. Since retirement, Jorja has given her time and shared her love of art with Girl Scouts, Sunshine campers, and school groups through programs at the Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum.

Executive Director: Theresa Bond Zelazny
Theresa completed her BFA in studio art in 2004 and a BA in Fine Arts in 2006 (both from UT Austin). She began taking art supplies into local nursing facilities in the summer of 2006. After seeing a need for an art based program to reduce stress for the residents of many local facilities she founded the Mobile Art Program in August 2007, receiving a 501(c)3 designation from the IRS in December 2007. Theresa is an instructor as well as the Executive Director.