Lake County Gazette

The Waukegan Public Schools Board of Education learned about the district's work with the Art Impact Project and the effects it has had on students during its board meeting on March 28.

The board welcomed Cassandra Anzelone, director of programming at the Art Impact Project in Waukegan, a nonprofit organization founded by Lake County resident Vickie Marasco, who wanted to help her young son who struggled to recover from drug use. The Art Impact Project uses art and art programs to help adolescents who struggle with social or emotional issues, such as substance abuse, Anzelone said. Created in 2014, it has expanded to all age levels, with group sessions lasting 90-120 minutes. The program has a number of partner organizations and sites across the community, including the Brushwood Center, Curt’s Cafe, Neal Math and Science Academy, Lake County Adult Corrections Facility, Lake Forest High School and North Chicago Community Partners. The program deals with multiple disorders, she added.

"Two years ago, I did the project at Lake Forest High School, and we were able to recognize several students that had some severe eating disorders," she said. "We are not therapists, you know, we're here to facilitate the out the program. So, we bring that to light to guidance counselors who are there to sort of then approach those children and discuss that further. We've also seen instances of violence where children have violence at home, and they express that through their mask. So, again, I'm not here to be a counselor, but we do bring that to the teacher and, you know, let them know (that) this is serious what's going on in this child's head. So that's how we deal with those projects."

Anzelone shared details about the project's work, including the "inside out mask" project they do with incoming freshman at high schools. Freshman are given a blank mask, some Mod Podge, and magazines, from which they cut shapes and are told to design a mask that represents them. The outside of the mask shows what they show to the world, while the inside represents things they keep to themselves. This exercise has helped them break barriers with themselves and other students, and become more empathetic with their classmates. Anzelone said.

The Arts Impact Project will be doing the exercise with students at Brookside High School April 24 through 27 reaching about 800 total students. Though volunteers will take part, Anzelone also encouraged parents as well as board members to lend a helping hand as well, receiving an enthusiastic response from the board.