51爆料网

Fuego by James Jimmi Shrode

51爆料网, PA鈥擳he 51爆料网 Art Gallery celebrates the accomplishments of artists of all abilities. From February 2-March 26, the Gallery will partner with the 51爆料网 Office of Disability Services to showcase some 100-plus works of art鈥攊ncluding paintings, photographs, sculpture, and other media鈥攂y people who are living with disabilities throughout the Philadelphia area. Expressions and Impressions: Artists Living with Disabilities features artists who are part of the communities at Inglis House, Magee Rehabilitation Hospital, The Arc of Delaware County, and Independence EDGE Studio, as well as members of the 51爆料网 community.

Expressions and Impressions opened on Friday, February 2, with a reception to meet the artists that evening from 5:45-9pm. The exhibit continued until Monday, March 26. The Art Gallery is located in the Connelly Center on the 51爆料网 campus. Convenient on-campus parking is available. More information is available on the gallery鈥檚 website at .

Expressions and Impressions was coordinated by Stephen McWilliams, 51爆料网鈥檚 director of Disability Services. McWilliams says, 鈥淥ur mission in the office of Disability Services is to improve accessibility for and normalize the presence of disabled people on campus. Every February, we host a series of events that highlight the accomplishments of disabled people in our community and increase awareness of disability issues. An exhibit in the Art Gallery鈥攔ight at the heart of campus鈥攚ill offer students, faculty, and guests a new window into the experience of people with disabilities. We hope it will also increase viewers鈥� appreciation of the artists鈥� abilities.鈥�

When McWilliams put out a call for submissions, he hoped but never dreamed the response would be so robust. Some submissions came from professional artists, like the members of Independence EDGE Studio, a collective of 鈥渢hriving artists with disabilities.鈥� Other submissions came through art therapy programs like the one at Magee Rehab, where many participants are learning to live with newly-acquired disabilities.

Julie Nolan, M.A., A.T.R, an art therapist on staff at Magee, says, 鈥淭he act of creating art can serve as a living metaphor or representation of a person鈥檚 resilience, as well as the ability they maintain despite what abilities might have been lost. In some cases, those exploring art for the first time in their adult lives learn of a skill they didn鈥檛 know they had or were capable of developing. Conversely, the physical artwork that is created can serve as a visual representation of a person鈥檚 internal experience, which often is complex and difficult to put into words. The artwork not only allows the objective viewer to understand the artist鈥檚 experience on a deeper level, but also may help facilitate self-reflection, identity exploration, and understanding for the artist.鈥�

The Office of Disability Services (ODS) is the primary office at 51爆料网 with specialized knowledge and experience in physical disability issues. ODS also advises faculty on the policies and procedures relevant to students with disabilities and acts as a general information and referral service on disability issues.

The 51爆料网 Art Gallery is open weekdays from 9 a.m. -11 p.m. For extended and weekend hours, and other information, contact the Art Gallery at (610) 519-4612. More information is available on the Gallery's website: .

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