SKETCHIE: Sketchbooks & Artworks by Artists with Developmental Disabilities

On view from April 1 to May 1, 2011 opening reception will be held on Saturday, April 2 from 3-6pm Gallery hours during the exhibition will be open on Fridays 12-2pm and by appointment: email [email protected]

The TOPAZ ARTS Visuals Arts Program is pleased to present “SKETCHIE: Sketchbooks & Artworks by Artists with Developmental Disabilities” – a new exhibition of works by individuals from AHRC New York City.

“Sketchie” displays an inspiring collection of sketchbooks, pastel drawings, and projected images of Light Paintings – long exposure photographs capturing the trail and patterns of colored lights done by each artist. In abstract forms, these works express the action of art-making, from intimate individual sketchbooks to large colorful pastels and kinetic images.

Created during workshops at the AHRC NYC facilities, and led by prolific art teacher Jason Cina, this series follows the progression from a 2008 exhibition of large action paintings “Out of Bounds” curated by Topaz Arts. Cina uses few parameters in guiding the artists through each medium, allowing each individual to display their own artistic sense. Deriving a “back to basics” approach Cina describes the project, “Artists have always used sketchbooks as a visual diary and means of problem-solving concepts before embarking on a new series. In the introduction of sketchbooks, each artist chooses their own subject matter – themes progressed throughout the subsequent pages becoming more rhythmic and cohesive. Over time, patterns emerged – revealing details of the artists’ ability to translate visual information, and more importantly, how they problem-solved and related objects in the space allotted. To see their artworks and the way relationships or families of color are chosen and blended together in beautiful and intricate ways is awe-inspiring.” The array of works in this exhibition, created by 20 artists with developmental disabilities, inspire the freedom to explore a realm of one’s own.