Artisans at Beyond I Can make arts and crafts to sell them to the community, but they may really be in the business of making friendships.

Nancy Barnett, founder and director of Beyond I Can, said she started the organization after retiring from her job as a special education teacher at Muncie Southside High School where she ran a similar project called I Can.

Beyond I Can helps adults with special needs develop life skills while teaching them how to create art. The clients or “artisans,” as they are called, come to the shop to make pottery, greeting cards, and other art that is sold in the gift shop.

Barnett explained that nobody, including herself, profits from the exchanges. The money that is earned from the art and crafts goes toward purchasing more materials and covers operating costs.

Barnett said although the end goal of the organization is to help these individuals develop life skills, the real reason they come is to interact with their friends.

“This is a way for these individuals to maintain contact,” Barnett explained. “Here they look forward to coming, they look forward to the activities. We have bowling, we have parties for birthdays and holidays, and that’s what they’re waiting for is the next party for the next month.”

Beyond I Can founder and director, Nancy Barnett, shows Sarah Wasson how to make a clay pot. PHOTO BY MICHAEL KUHN

Caroline Courter, a Ball State senior, is a student volunteer at Beyond I Can. She says it’s important for people to understand that disabilities do not end after high school. Courter said that people should come to the shop to see the things that these individuals are creating and interact with them as equals.

“People with disabilities are often belittled and talked down to, but here people talk to them like equals because that’s what they are, they’re equals,” Courter explained.

One of the artisans that comes to the Beyond I Can is David Farver. He said he stands up for himself and others like him when they are not being treated as equals.

“I don’t just like standing up for myself, but I stand up for others as well,” Farver said. “ If someone is being mean to them, I don’t think that’s right.”

Confidence and respect are two of the main ideals that Barnett said she hopes to be able to continue to provide through Beyond I Can in the coming years. Barnett is currently looking to expand and move to a larger and more accommodating location. 

To learn how to get involved with Beyond I Can, visit beyondican.com.

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