BILLINGS — Students with disabilities with Eagle Mountain had the opportunity to paint and be creative in an art gallery during an adaptive field trip on Thursday.

Eagle Mount offers year-round programs and recreational activities for those of all ages with disabilities. Field trips are frequent and serve over 300 students.

“There is so much joy and the world needs more of it,” said Eagle Mount Executive Director Lynn Mullowney Cabrera.

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This joy was shared by the students who attended the field trip to the Electric Storm Gallery at 405 N. 24th St. The group is part of Billings School District 2’s new vocational training program at the Lincoln Center, which keeps students with disabilities engaged in the community. after they graduate.

“These are the students who graduated last year and now they’re kind of ‘super seniors,'” Cabrera said. “This group is just showing up this year. It helps develop professional skills and abilities and I think that by working together, we are able to do even more to raise awareness and understanding that these individuals have so much to do and have so much to contribute to our community.”

Student Jeremiah Yates has been with Eagle Mount for many years and enjoys the various opportunities the organization offers him.

“I’m telling you, man, Eagle Mountain is something. They are always volunteering and helping with people. They do so many activities,” Yates said.

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The trip to the gallery was made by local artist Caroyln Martin Kennedy. She exhibits her work at the gallery and will auction off her original paintings in December to benefit Eagle Mount.

“She’s wanted to give back to the community for a very long time, and she and I collaborated on choosing a charity,” said Taylor Evans, artist and owner of Electric Storm Gallery.

The gallery often hosts workshops and community events, so it was the perfect location to host the trip and let the creativity flow.

“Having them go up and pick out their own pieces, seeing anything, getting their attention, talking to them and then seeing how they chose to play with color and placement, it was really interesting to see personalities come out in evidence and individuality in projects. Evans said.

The art project itself mixed both Kennedy’s style of acrylic painting with Evan’s style of using repurposed found objects.

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“Anything from buttons, beads, dice, eyeglass lenses, doll shoes, everything but the kitchen sink. Found objects are from my artwork. They’re something that I use in my practice, and acrylic is what Carolyn uses, so I put those two things together,” Evans said.

Students were excited to choose from hundreds of small objects and work with real-life artists on their projects.

“We do a lot of activities. We’re always painting a lot, and Caroline has helped me a lot. She’s been my amazing volunteer helper,” Yates said.

The experience showed how art can help connect and bring disabled people a sense of belonging and inclusion in their community.

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“We all know that having a disability, having a loved one with a disability can be a really isolating experience, and not just for a day, but for a lifetime. Getting involved with Eagle Mount and participating in all the activities that we do, all the partnerships that we’re so fortunate to have put together, it really creates opportunities for individuals to become one with the community,” Cabrera said.

Kennedy’s painting is currently on display at the Billings Public Library through Nov. 28, and tickets to the drawing are $30 each or two for $50. They can be purchased until December 1st and a winner will be drawn at Electric Storm Gallery on December 6th. All proceeds benefit Eagle Mount.