I'm new to processing and don't know much so this might be a really simple question (it also might not be) so any help would be appreciated.

I'm in an art class right now that's using processing quite a bit and I'm using it for my next project.  What I want to do is to have a small ceiling mounted motor which would raise and lower a small lightweight object.  I'd need to write a program in processing to control it.  If possible I would want the rate at which the motor moves to be variable.  Would the set-up for one motor be radically different from one program controlling 3 or 4?  What would be the best way to get this set-up.  

My professor has suggested incorporating Arduino in some way, but I know absolutely nothing about this.  Any help is appreciated.  Thanks.