On November 28, SUNY Old Westbury’s ART LAB held its opening reception for its new gallery show featuring artwork from ACLD ‘s Art Studio Program. The exhibit is open on Mondays and Tuesdays from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and on Thursdays from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. until December 15th in the Woodlands Residence Halls.
This gallery show has immersed the ART LAB with color, creativity, and unique perspectives. From papier mâché masks to 3-D images to clay projects, the artists displayed detailed reflections of their personalities and interests.
ACLD (Adults and Children with Learning and Developmental Disabilities) is an organization “whose mission is to provide opportunities for children and adults with autism, learning, and developmental disabilities to pursue enviable lives, promote independence and foster supportive relationships within the community,” according to the informational pamphlet distributed at the show. The Art Studio program in the organization was created in 2019 as a way to kindle creativity, expression, “socialization, and growth in the arts to [their] participants that attend [their] adult day programs.”
The program’s community coordinator, Diane Salome-Diaz, is excited about the art show. It is the first time the artists’ work is on display since they returned to in-person art sessions after the COVID-19 pandemic. Salome-Diaz said, “I think it’s so important to be able to showcase the talent of the people that we work with at ACLD.”
SUNY Old Westbury alumna, Emily Colwell, is the lead art specialist for the ACLD and reinforced the importance of the program and art show. “I think it’s good that they get to have this outlet to express themselves,” Colwell said. “Having it displayed to the public gives them more visibility.”
The self-portrait wall is one of the must-see exhibits. Inspired by the Modigliani Exhibit at the Nassau County Museum of Art in Roslyn, the artists used clay as a medium to create images of themselves. The wall of faces represents the individuality and personality of each artist, but also emphasizes how the artists exist together in one, united, and diverse community. The pamphlet explains that they “molded their portraits using their hands and a variety of clay shaping tools.” They then baked, cured, and painted the clay to make their unique creations.
Another stand-out exhibit in the lab is the papier-mâché decorations. Some artists chose to make masks that featured a variety of colors, designs, and styles. Others chose to use the medium to create animals that were fun representations of wildlife. The animals were lifelike and they, too, were colorful additions to the gallery. The use of glitter on these projects gives each one its own character and life. To make these artworks, the artists layered wet newspapers with glue onto clay molds to create their desired shapes. “These Papier-Mache pieces were glued onto wood board for a more décor feel,” the pamphlet explains. “Our ACLD art participants enjoy the tactile process….”
Some of the artists eagerly visited the opening reception to see their work on display. When asked how he likes the experience of creating art, one ACLD artist, James, called it “the best.” He said he likes to use “all colors” and do “all projects.”
Day Habilitation Specialist, Deborah Hankins, explained that collaborating with ACLD is a great experience for adults. “It’s very refreshing for them because it’s something different,” she said. “They’re very artistic and we don’t get to see that unless we do something like this [the art show].”
The lab radiated not only creativity and talent at the opening reception, but inseparable connections, friendships, and bonds. Through hugs and pointing to each person’s work, it was clear to see that art allows these individuals to bond on deeper levels.
In addition to the self-portrait and papier-mâché projects, the gallery displayed 3-D Paper Art, Gelli Prints, Pointillism Art, pottery, clay jewelry, and clay mini vases. One artist, Karen, enthusiastically showed me the vase she made. She said, “I painted my cat [on the vase].” She joyously expressed, “I did a good job on that one!” The pamphlet explained, “we wanted to create some small quirky vases out of Air-Dry clay” and that before shaping it with their hands, “everyone learned how to roll the clay and cut through with a dowel to create the vase.”
Salome-Diaz aims to expand the appreciation and understanding that art is a universal way to express oneself. “No matter what type of abilities you may have, there’s always expression through the arts,” she said. “My whole goal is to really be able to show the public that just because someone may look different or have a different type of disability, that they are still able to do things that make them grow and express.”
The ART LAB is run by the Amelie A. Wallace Gallery and the Visual Arts Department as part of the Social and Environmental Justice Institute. The ACLD Art Studio thanks Dr. Hyewon Yi, the Director of the ART LAB and the Amelie A. Wallace Gallery at SUNY Old Westbury.
