‘Amazing’ art

Eileen Murray, center, with Nicholas Paleologos, executive director of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, and Karen Pinzolo.

Twenty years ago, the founders of Matheny’s Arts Access Program asked the question, “Can people with disabilities create fine art?” That question has been answered, and the answer is ‘yes’, said Eileen Murray, director of the program, while accepting an Excellence in the Arts Award from the Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission and the Friends of Somerset County Culture & Heritage, Inc. The award, for Arts in the Community, was one of seven presented on October 24 at the Twin Brooks Country Club in Watchung, N.J.

Arts Access was nominated for the award by Karen Pinzolo, director of community engagement for Art Pride New Jersey. While introducing Murray, Pinzolo described Arts Access as an “amazing program, a national model,” adding that the art is “a celebration of life and the human spirit. I was blown away when I saw it, and you will be, too.”

Both Murray and Pinzolo invited members of the audience to attend Full Circle 2013 Reflections, the 20th anniversary of Arts Access, which will be held Saturday, November 2, in the Robert Schonhorn Arts Center on the Matheny campus in Peapack. Two Arts Access artists, Cheryl Chapin and Yasin Reddick, attended the awards dinner, and a sample of their artwork was on display.

Arts Access makes it possible for people with disabilities to create fine art, assisted by professional artist-facilitators. In a short video shown at the dinner, Keith Garletts, Arts Access outreach coordinator and program specialist, listed the four principles of the program: freedom of choice, neutrality, no preconceptions and artists assisting artists.

From left, Arts Access artist Cheryl Chapin, Eileen Murray, Nicholas Paleologos, Somerset County Freeholder Patricia Walsh and Arts Access artist Yasin Reddick.

Sanofi volunteer Antoine Labrousse paints a pumpkin with adult resident Dion Alston.

Halloween arrived a little early at Matheny. On Friday, October 11, a dozen volunteers from Sanofi U.S. visited adult patients to help paint pumpkins and make other Halloween decorations in preparation for the annual holiday.

Sanofi is a diversified global healthcare company whose U.S. headquarters are in Bridgewater, NJ. Volunteerism, according to the company website, is “one of our cornerstones for social responsibility. It is the way that our employees show solidarity with others in need.”

Matheny’s adult services program, both at our main Peapack campus and at our Hillsborough Adult Learning Center, provides a specialized integrated day program for persons 21 years and older who have medically complex developmental disabilities. We welcome volunteers from the community—both individuals and corporate groups such as those from Sanofi. For more information about volunteer opportunities at Matheny, call (908) 234-0011, ext. 282, or email volunteers@matheny.org.

Sanofi volunteer Yen Yu Chen personalizes a pumpkin for adult resident Mason Walsh.

Natalie and Megan practicing in the music room.

The annual Matheny talent show is a creative forum that enables students and patients to express themselves and feel empowered to share their gifts and talents. Nowhere was that more evident than in the triumphant performance this year by adult patient Natalie Tomastyk, who decided to sing “Brave,” a song by Sara Bareilles. While learning the piece, Natalie decided she also wanted to play the piano.

“Alternating between singing and playing was a new skill for her to learn,” said music therapist Megan Chappius, “but she was determined and motivated to do it. Fortunately, she very quickly and easily mastered the skill. She never grew tired or frustrated, and she was very motivated.” Natalie was “a little nervous” before the performance, but afterwards, she said: “I am proud of myself, and I feel good.”

The talent show was held Wednesday, October 16, in the Robert Schonhorn Arts Center at Matheny. Among other performances: Amanda Kochell’s rendition of Alicia Keys’ “No One” and Jessica Evans’ original poem, “My Memories are Painted in the Sky.”

Music therapists at Matheny use various types of music to positively impact students’ and patients’ cognitive, physical, emotional and social skills, helping them realize their potential in society. Activities and techniques include improvisation, rhythm, songwriting, songs, chants, instrumental activities, live music and recorded music.

Music therapist Sabrina Deutsch congratulating Natalie after her performance.

Debbie O’Connor speaking at the Matheny School open house.

Ryan O’Connor was born 10 years ago with a very rare chromosome deletion. His family was told that he would function at an extremely low level and would never walk or talk.

When Ryan reached three years of age, it was time for him to go to school. The O’Connors learned about Matheny through their son’s therapists and the Clinton Township School District. “I’ll never forget the first day I brought him here,” Debbie O’Connor said recently at the Matheny School’s open house. “I was in denial and was so afraid to leave my child in the care of strangers. But these strangers quickly became the people who would change his life and our lives. A child who could barely eat began to slowly learn how to swallow. A child with very limited gross motors skills began to learn how to move. A child with no fine motor skills began to learn to pick up his own food.”

Then, on Christmas Day 2008, “Ryan gave us a true Christmas miracle. With a house filled with family and friends, Ryan stood up and began to walk, completely unassisted, through our home. He wandered for several minutes from room to room taking in his surroundings while we all watched in complete amazement.”

All of these milestones were reached because of Matheny. “There are no limitations here,” O’Connor said. “No one looks at our children and ever says the words, ‘They can’t do that.’ Matheny is a place where miracles happen everyday.”

Ryan O’Connor.

Shaleena Tommassini

Every year, the  Burke Rehabilitation Hospital in White Plains, NY, hosts its Wheelchair Games, bringing wheelchair athletes together to complete in a variety of athletic events including several races and a slalom obstacle course.

This year, four Matheny athletes competed in wheelchair races and dashes, the slalom obstacle course and the shotput. They also enjoyed carnival games and a magic show. Adult patient Shaleena Tommassini received a trophy designating her as Top Outstanding Adult Female of the day.

Participation in events such as the Burke Wheelchair Games is made possible through Matheny’s recreation therapy program, which provides our students and patients with a variety of opportunities and resources to improve their physical, emotional, cognitive and social well-being.

Yasin Reddick

Paula Canari, far right, with staff members Christina Dean, left, and Camille Leisy.

CocoLuxe fine pastries opened on Main Street in Peapack in May 2004. Six months later, the bakery-café became a food sponsor for Full Circle, the annual celebration of Matheny’s Arts Access Program, providing an array of delicious desserts for the event in the gallery of the Robert Schonhorn Arts Center.

The 20th anniversary of Arts Access, Full Circle 2013 Reflections, will be held Saturday, November 2, from 3–6 p.m., and, of course, cocoLuxe will be there. “We really enjoy being involved in this event,” said Paula Canari, cocoLuxe’s current owner, noting that it will be the shop’s 10th year at Full Circle. “We’re very selective about what we participate in, and I love the fact that Matheny is so local.” The most popular pastry item among the Full Circle audience, according to Canari, is a lemon meringue tartlet, but “anything pumpkin does well too.”

Other food/beverage sponsors at Full Circle are: Café Azzurro, Peapack; Gladstone Tavern, Gladstone; 3 West and Urban Table, Basking Ridge; and Village Office Supply, Somerset. For more information about Full Circle or to order tickets, call 908.234.0011, ext. 260, or email pcats@matheny.org.

Congressman Leonard Lance with Arts Access artist Luis Rodriguez.

When U.S. Congressman Leonard Lance (NJ-07) toured Matheny and visited the Robert Schonhorn Arts Center earlier this year, he was so impressed with Arts Access  that he agreed to be honorary chair of Full Circle 2013 Reflections, the 20th anniversary celebration of the program. Now, Congressman Lance has confirmed that he will attend Full Circle and say a few words prior to the multimedia stage presentation.

“I was pleased to talk with staff and patients at Matheny and learn more about the facility’s first-class art program for residents,” said Lance, shortly after his January visit. “I was also impressed with the high quality of care that is provided to patients at this top-notch facility in Peapack.” Lance is co-chair of the Congressional Arts Caucus.

Full Circle 2013 Reflections will be held on Saturday, November 2, from 3–6 p.m., in the Robert Schonhorn Arts Center on the Matheny campus. Gold sponsors of Full Circle are Provident Bank and James and Judith Finn. Bronze sponsors are the Angeletti Group, Angelina and Steven Brown and Shoprite of Hunterdon County. Food/beverage sponsors are: Café Azzurro and cocoLuxe fine pastries, Peapack; Gladstone Tavern, Gladstone; 3West and Urban Table, Basking Ridge; and Village Office Supply, Somerset.

Admission is $30. All funds raised support the Arts Access Program, which enables individuals with disabilities to fully express themselves in the arts. For more information, or to order tickets, call 908.234.0011, ext. 260, or email pcats@matheny.org.

“Splitter Splatter” by Tammy Heppner, one of the paintings in this year’s visual arts exhibit.

In 1993, Matheny’s president Robert Schonhorn  and medical director Dr. Gabor Barabas launched a program called Arts Access. The idea was to see if people with disabilities, assisted by professional-artist facilitators, could create fine art. What started as a small pilot program has blossomed into a thriving arts program that encompasses painting, digital art, sculpture, dance, choreography, poetry, prose and drama.

The 20th anniversary of Arts Access, Full Circle 2013 Reflections, will be celebrated from 3-6 p.m., on Saturday, November 2, in the Robert Schonhorn Arts Center on the Matheny campus in Peapack, NJ. A visual arts exhibit will be held in the Arts Center gallery, followed by a multi-media fine arts stage presentation.

Arts Access received a $10,000 Challenge America Fast-Track grant from the National Endowment for the Arts to support Full Circle. And U.S. Congressman Leonard Lance (NJ 07), who is co-chair of the Congressional Arts Caucus, will serve as honorary chair. Gold sponsors of Full Circle are Provident Bank and James and Judith Finn. Bronze sponsors are the Angeletti Group, Angelina and Steven Brown and Shoprite of Hunterdon County.  Food and beverage sponsors are: Café Azzurro and cocoLuxe fine pastries, Peapack; Gladstone Tavern, Gladstone; 3 West and Urban Table, Basking Ridge; and Village Office Supply, Somerset.

For more information or to order tickets, call (908) 234-0011, ext. 260; or email pcats@matheny.org.

Dancer/choreographer Dion Alston performing “Every Teardrop is a Waterfall” at Full Circle 2012 with dance facilitator Elizabeth Zelesny.

“Church in PA” by Cindy Shanks, part of the visual arts exhibit at Full Circle 2013 Reflections, the Arts Access 20th anniversary celebration.

Matheny’s Arts Access Program has been chosen to receive a 2013 Excellence in the Arts Award from the Somerset County Cultural and Heritage Commission for “Arts in the Community.”

Arts Access was nominated for this award by Art Pride New Jersey, a coalition of arts organizations and individuals that advocate at local, state and national levels for funding, support and recognition of the arts as vital to New Jersey’s quality of life. In its nomination, Art Pride pointed out that Matheny is “a world-class facility that works to heal the body and nurture the spirit with the arts.” The National Endowment for the Arts has recognized the value of this program with a grant to celebrate the 20 years of excellence, and Arts Access has also received a ‘Citation of Excellence’ from the New Jersey State Council of the Arts.

“My Brain’s on Fire” dance by Jessica Evans performed at Full Circle 2011.

The  SCCHC award will be presented at a special ceremony on Thursday, October 24, at Twin Brooks Country Club in Watchung, NJ. Master of ceremonies for the event will be Nicholas Paleologos, executive director of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.

Shaleena Tomassini at a recent Somerset County Special Olympics competition.

Matheny adult resident Shaleena Tomassini has been selected to represent Team New Jersey at the 2014 National Special Olympics. Shaleena, who will be participating in track & field, is the first athlete from Matheny to participate in the national games, which will be held in several locations in New Jersey in June 2014. Team members will be introduced at the Rutgers-Temple football game on November 2 at High Point Solutions Stadium in Piscataway. Congratulations, Shaleena!

Matheny patients and students participate in Special Olympics as part of Matheny’s recreation therapy program, which provides them with a variety of recreational opportunities and resources to improve their physical, emotional, cognitive and social well-being.

Preschool teacher Dawn Williams with student Joshua Rincon.

Matheny has re-launched its preschool disabilities program this fall. Based on the “Creative Curriculum” concept, teachers and therapists will utilize an enriched learning environment to meet the individual needs of each student. According to Matheny School principal Sean Murphy, the Creative Curriculum’s “emphasis on organizing the physical environment to promote learning is especially important for children who require structure predictability in their lives.”

The preschool class at Matheny is somewhat unique in that it’s a school setting within a hospital and has a registered nurse assigned as an essential part of the team. “We decided,” says Murphy, “that parents and families needed that extra peace of mind when sending their preschooler into school. This is often the parents’ first time away from their children.” In addition, speech language-pathologists, occupational and physical therapists are seamlessly integrated into the academic program. And parents, Murphy adds, “are always part of the planning process here and are invited to be part of the special education curriculum design team.”

Dawn Williams, Matheny’s preschool teacher, says emphasis is placed on learning basic skills such as playing and exploring. “Students need a lot of stimulation,” she explains. “They’re reacting to sensory movements and noises.”

Matheny views public school districts as partners and welcomes them to visit its classrooms. In fact, there is still time for districts to register for the Matheny School Open House on Wednesday, October 9, by calling Jill Baker at (908) 234-0011, ext. 234, or emailing mathenyschool@matheny.org.

Donna Kelly, right, and speech-language pathologist Brynna Cunningham help student Daniel Gaudreau use a foot switch to activate a music video on a computer.

They say the third time’s charm, and for Donna Kelly, returning to Matheny in February 2013 as director of occupational therapy, had a special attraction. “When I first came here in 1983,” she says, “I was struck by the team approach, how we all worked together. Coming back earlier this year was wonderful. It was just like going home. I love working with all members of the interdisciplinary team—the physicians, the personal care assistants and all of the other directors. This is something you miss at other places.”

Matheny was Kelly’s first job out of the University of New Hampshire. After three years, she left to join the staff of the Lakeview School in Edison, NJ, as a senior occupational therapist and then as director. Five years later, she was back at Matheny as director of OT and director of the seating and mobility clinic. She left again in 1993, first working in early intervention with the Arc of Somerset County and then serving as OT director at Children’s Specialized Hospital.

In the interim, she received her advanced master’s degree from New York University, specializing in assistive technology. She also became trained in NDT (Neuro-Developmental Treatment) and SIPT (Sensory Integration and Praxis Tests). Kelly studied at NYU under the late Dr. Beverly Bain, who began working as a consultant at Matheny in 1998, bringing with her a special expertise in assistive technology. Says Kelly: “It’s still the focus here. It’s integrated into the classroom and after school. The level of care that students and patients get here is optimal.”

Now, Kelly is involved in a new project called The Listening Program (TLP), which uses a sound-based music program to decrease self-stimulator behaviors in individuals with multiple disabilities. Matheny, says Kelly, will be collaborating with NYU on TLP research.