John Mitty Wednesday, October 17, 2012 |
OLD BETHPAGE, NY -- Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc. (FREE), a not-for-profit agency providing residential, day, vocational and support services for individuals with autism and different abilities, together with the Long Island Children’s Museum (LICM), will present an art exhibit by local artists, some of whom have autism and different abilities, called “Chaos and Containment,” showing fromOctober 20, 2012 through January 6, 2013 in the KaleidoZone Gallery at the Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Avenue, Garden City, NY.
The exhibit will feature works of original art by each artist depicting the incredibly deep feelings of emotional chaos and disorder as well as the feeling of self regulation and control. Some of the artists, will display work created as a result of their experience with Art Psychotherapy. The images are powerfully-moving insights into the children’s internal world that are reachable and possibly modifiable. It is a testament to the healing power of therapeutically designed creative expression through imagery.
Both FREE and LICM believe that such a public display of the art might combat stigma and give voice to children who have different abilities than other children but bring their own special gifts and talents, the same as all children. The groups want to give children the recognition they need in order to assist in fostering growth and creative thoughts. It is their hope to change people’s view of what it means to be diagnosed with autism or as it is now referred to as “on the spectrum” so that rather than view it as a disability, perhaps it might be a unique way of viewing and experiencing life.
“As people, as parents, we inherently balance chaos with containment to manage our own and our family's daily lives. In the works shown in LICM's latest KaleidoZone exhibit, artists have explored and visualized this dichotomy for us, to start a conversation that helps heighten awareness of the importance of this balance in human development. Artists featured in the exhibit come from all walks of life, including art therapists and individuals participating in FREE's art therapy workshops. We look forward to hearing the conversations this exhibit sparks in our visitors,” said LICM’s Director of Exhibits, Erik Schurink.
“Through our Art Therapy programs, we offer an outlet for individuals to express their creativity, and the results are always mesmerizing,” remarked Robert S. Budd, CEO for FREE. “I continue to be personally impressed by how dedicated the artists are to the program and viewing their wondrous work in the gallery ultimately showcases the beauty of Art Therapy.”
“Chaos and Containment” follows in the long tradition at the Long Island Children’s Museum of providing opportunities for its visitors to “find their voice” – encouraging them to discover their passions. Through its programs, performances and art exhibits, young visitors are introduced to “role models” who they can emulate as they explore creative pursuits.
jmitty@longislandyellowpages.com Appears In: Press Releases
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