For four years, Dungarvin Nevada Office Manager Brandi Berryman has hosted “Art Day” events for individuals served. She does all of the planning and preparation to create an environment in which people can show up and express their creativity while enjoying camaraderie with other participants.
Brandi is an artist, so when she started with Dungarvin in 2021, she saw the opportunity to share her love of art with the people her team supports. “I thought it would be a great thing,” she said. “I always have markers, color pencils, crayons, watercolor kits; and I let them take whatever they’re using home with them.”
Typically, Brandi gets between three and 10 Art Day participants, who are accompanied by their Dungarvin Host Home providers — the people who support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in their own homes.
The year after Brandi started hosting Art Days, Dungarvin launched its annual “Celebration of Art,” a three-month initiative to highlight the creativity of people served. This year’s theme is “Arts & Crafts Celebration,” meant to encompass a wider range of work. The initiative typically draws 40 to 50 participants each year.
Andrew, an individual served by Dungarvin Nevada, created this watercolor painting during an Art Day event and submitted it to the 2025 Celebration of Art.
Brandi now hosts two Art Days annually, so persons served have more opportunity to create and submit their artwork to the Dungarvin initiative, during which they are celebrated by the organization internally and on its social media pages.
During the Art Day events, Brandi also makes sure there are snacks — sometimes pizza —for everyone. If it’s a small group, they sit around the office conference table to do their drawings, paintings and other projects. If it’s a larger group, they move tables and chairs into the building’s central atrium, where there’s more room to accommodate all of the artists.
Deveren, an individual served by Dungarvin Nevada, drew this adorable picture of a Yorkshire terrier and submitted it to the 2025 Celebration of Art.
Attendees enjoy each other’s company, Brandi said. “Last year, we had a smaller group and they were asking each other questions and talking; even some of the more shy people got pulled in to conversations, so that was nice.”
Brandi likes hosting Art Days because it’s a chance for her to get to know the people supported by Dungarvin Nevada. “I like that I get to interact with them and learn about who they are,” she said.
If you or someone you know is interested in learning how you can receive support from Dungarvin in Nevada or another state, please visit us at www.Dungarvin.com.