Studio ARTES celebrate volunteers as the Advocate are welcomed with open arms

THE volunteers and staff of local charity organisation Studio ARTS do something each and everyday to better the community — and their members adore them for it.

THE volunteers and staff of local charity organisation Studio ARTES do something each and everyday to better the community — and their members adore them for it.

To celebrate do something day, the Advocate joined the fun of a performing arts class with talent members of the organisation, as they prepare for their latest production for the Hornsby community in FLY: DESTINATION UNKNOWN.

The musical talents of members and volunteers alike did not disappoint as Studio ARTES throws a spotlight on just some of the volunteers they love.

Studio ARTS volunteer Rodney James has worked with the visual arts program for three years and said volunteering for the organisation is really rewarding.

“I like helping people with disabilities because I also have a disability myself,” Mr James said.

“When you’re helping out, you feel good about yourself and about what you’re doing. You can see the benefit that you bring to help the staff in the session and the members with their art.

The class of talented performing arts members took in a newcomer with open arms — literally — as our warm up music session had every voice in the room roaring with laughter and tunes to sing along too.

But this music session in all it’s glory was just like every other for performing arts volunteer, Melanie Werner, who has volunteered at Studio ARTS since July 2015.

“Ever since I first started volunteering at Studio ARTS, I felt so welcome and included in such a strong team of staff and members,” Ms Werner said.

“This generates such a great vibe to collaborate and produce high-quality and fulfilling creative work with both the staff and studio members. My favourite thing about being at the Studio is that not a day goes by where I don’t nearly wet my pants with laughter, everyone has such a great sense of humour and that really shines through in the genuine nature of the work that comes out of the Studio.”

Do Something Day. Studio Artes music class, Waitara PCYC. Photo: Adam Ward

Ms Werner said her love for music and performing arts made her perfect for the role.

“I started off volunteering every Friday with the music groups, but this increased to about 1-3 days a week depending on what was going on at the time,” she said.

“As I was near the end of my music degree, I started looking into how I could get involved in the disability arts sector. After doing a bit of research into what music programs were offered in this area, I came across Studio ARTES.”

volunteers are always needed to continue the great work Studio ARTES do in our community each and everyday, to get involved in the Studio ARTES family, contact Lynne Slevin on 9482 5266.

Look out for our Do Something Day feature in next week’s edition of the Hornsby Advocate.