Correspondent photo / Karla Dines Jewish Community Center of Youngstown art instructor Stacy Hunter demonstrates adaptive art supplies and tools for Warren residents Jack Anderson, 9, left, and Arlo Anderson, 5, right, at the grand reopening of JCC’s Paul and Yetta Gluck School of Visual Arts on Wednesday evening. The School of Visual Arts was constructed in 2020. It was recently updated with flexible workstations, additional floor space, adaptive art supplies and wheelchair-accessible furniture, making it welcoming to artists of all ages and abilities.

YOUNGSTOWN — The Paul and Yetta Gluck School of Visual Arts at the Jewish Community Center (JCC) opened in 2020 thanks to benefactors Paul and Yetta Gluck of Youngstown.

The JCC’s former racquetball court was converted into an art classroom that soon filled with tables, supplies and cabinets. The school serves students from infancy through older adulthood, including classes designed for individuals with disabilities.

However, the space had limitations: many students used canes, walkers or wheelchairs, the seating did not adequately meet the needs of students with physical disabilities and specialized art tools for those unable to use standard supplies were not available.

The school was closed for almost a month for renovations. The new state-of-the-art facility, which was unveiled Wednesday, is more accessible with additional seating, wheelchair accessibility, new movable tables and adaptable art supplies. The art instructors also can reconfigure the room to suit the specific needs of those attending classes. For example, tables can be moved to free up space and special chairs that can support more weight are available.

Paul and Yetta Gluck were present for the ribbon-cutting ceremony and tour of the new facility.

The Glucks owned stores in Youngstown over the years, selling antiques, gold, silver, antique jewelry and reproduction antique jewelry before their retirement. They are committed to promoting art education in Youngstown.

“We wanted to do something. They had a school of music and a school of dance. Paul was an art major at Youngstown State,” Yetta Gluck said.

Retractable cord reels are now available at several ceiling locations. If an art student wishes to use an electric art tool, the reel can be pulled down without the student having to go to another location in the room to use, for example, a hair dryer to dry an art project. The arrangement allows artists to use all the tools at their table.

Chair dollies and collapsible and portable totes are available so that art can be done in other rooms in the JCC facility.

Specialized egg-shaped crayons are another improvement, helping students who may lack the dexterity or motor control to use traditional crayons.

“If you have to ask for the accommodation, you are less comfortable than if it is already there. We wanted people to feel the space was completely made for them,” said Barb Wilson, JCC director of cultural arts and Jewish engagement.

“Anything we can do to make people live their best lives means a lot to us. People should be able to be their best selves. We just are thankful that we are in a position to do it,” Yetta Gluck said.