As an employee at the Y, impact is a word we hear a lot.  Whether we are focused on what impact we can have, being praised for the impact that we have had, or feeling the impact that our members and coworkers have had on us, it is the core what makes our programming what it is.

Recently I had the opportunity to visit the Sollar Wellness Center at New England Villages.  New England Villages offers both residential and day programs for adults with intellectual disabilities, and welcomed us with open arms to observe their programs.  I sat in on a music class one day and an art class on my next visit.  Believe me when I say that I have witnessed some of the most impactful programming out there.

One of the goals of the Fine and Performing Arts department is to create an inclusive environment, and through observing these classes I know we are an enormous step closer to making that goal a reality.  I was able to help someone paint Popsicle sticks, and meet Elvis/Fred/Prince Charles, he had many names throughout the course of the class but ultimately I made a new friend. 

Seeing the staff and the arts program participants at New England Villages really opened my eyes to a community that many people in our society do not understand.  It was beautiful seeing these staff interact with their students, whether it was a joke, a moment of encouragement, and moment of support, or just a shared moment of bliss.

In the end, I got to create some art with people who felt the impact that art had on them, but more importantly, I met some people who have mastered the art of making an impact.

 If you take classes in the mornings here at the LCA, chances are you've seen me around. I've been introduced to individuals and scattered classes throughout my time here, but I thought this would be a perfect way to give the visitors of the LCA a chance to really get to know me.

 My name is Antonia Rincon, Nia for short, and I've been interning at the LCA for just about a month. I moved to Norwell about a year and a half ago from Pittsburgh, and this coming fall I plan on moving to New Orleans to attend college at Loyola University. I love anything involving the arts, from visual to preforming, and I'm thinking about minoring in it in some way in college. I'm an optimistic, laid back person who loves to goof around and make people smile. I firmly believe that having a good laugh can change your whole day. More often than not when you come in you'll find me working with the kids or doing office work on the computer.

 I was given the opportunity to do this through my school, Norwell High. Each senior is given the option to seek out and secure an internship based on their likes and future plans. Because I plan on going to college for anthropology, my psychology teacher was my first choice. However, the project I had in mind was too unstructured, and was ultimately denied. It just so happened that my art teacher, Mrs. Jennifer Greenberg, was meeting with the directors of the LCA the very next day. She told them about my interest in the arts and before you know it I was meeting with Beth and Kimberly for the first time in my art room.

 As you can tell, the meeting went very well and I officially started my internship on April 7th. Having never worked in a setting like this before, I was amazed at how deeply involved in the arts my advisers were. They really believe that teaching the next generation through creativity and positive reinforcement is key to happy healthy living. I learned so much observing the first Music and Me class taught by Tyler, and every other class thereafter. I have even made one or two little friends during my time observing. I basically help out wherever i'm needed. I've also been given the opportunity to see all the work that really goes into running a non profit organization. The Y doesn't just give back to it's members, but to anyone seeking a good time or a safe place to go. They have even given me a chance to display my own work here during our most recent gallery opening.

 I take AP sculpture at Norwell and I love showing off my work. Through the LCA, my pieces got to be seen by many generations from many different towns. My concentration for my art is mainly using mainly mirror shards to create movement and reflection on stationary objects. Not all of my work incorporates this, but I try to make sure all my pieces look like a cohesive collection.

 So far I've loved the work that I've been doing here, and i'll be extremely sad when I have to go back and face the real world of school and college decisions, but until then i'm just enjoying my time and soaking up all the information that I can. 

Since LCA opened in January, 2013, the Plymouth Philharmonic has been wonderfully supportive of our programming and aspirations. We were thrilled to partner with them last summer for the "Tuesdays with Phil" summer concert series here in the Plein Aire Pavilion- LCA's outdoor amphitheater. Families brought picnics, kids did cartwheels on the lawn, and the gorgeous summer evenings were filled with brass, percussion and more. Now, we're glad to share that the Phil is coming back to Hanover for another summer series in 2014.

Write it on your calendars, because just like last summer these concerts are not to be missed. This July, the Phil will be at LCA on 4 consecutive Wednesdays: July 2, July 9, July 16 and July 23. Each concert will begin at 6:30 PM, with doors opening at 6 PM for you to set up your picnics. The kick-off evening of the series on July 2 will be a special Independence Day concert!

In the meantime, the Phil's SPRING POPS concert is going to be a rather theatrical treat. Craig Shulman is joining the full orchestra for an evening of "Heroes, Monsters and Madmen." The concert is on Saturday, May 10 at 8PM and you can purchase tickets here.

As always, feel free to contact us with any questions and we look forward to seeing you in the Plein Aire Pavilion soon!