March 30th marks the annual observation of National Doctors Day. This day was established to recognize physicians, their work and their contributions to society and the community. On National Doctors Day, we say “thank you” to our physicians for all that they do for us and our loved ones.
Plays by People, featuring original work by the talented Arts Access Playwrights!
Join us March 25 at 6pm for “Plays by People,” a collaborative event between the Arts Access Program at Matheny and Premiere Stages at Kean University that showcases staged readings of short plays written by (and in some cases performed by) #ArtsAccess artists with #disabilities. FREE and open to the public!
Please RSVP to heather@artsaccessprogram.org to reserve your seat!
The Arts Access Program at Matheny, empowers individuals with disabilities to create art without boundaries. Through the use of innovative systems and techniques, participants can fully participate in the visual, performing and literary arts. Regardless of their disability, clients are provided with the tools and materials needed to take full creative control over their artistic journey. Arts Access provides clients with a nurturing environment for expression; a chance to interact with other artists; and an opportunity for performance and exhibition. This program is a vehicle through which disabled individuals can have their ideas; imagination and creativity come to life. www.artsaccessprogram.org.
Please join our students at the Morris Museum
March 9–12, 2017
Opening Reception
March 9, 6:00–8:00PM
Please join the Matheny School as we show off the great art of our students.
Access-ABILITY is the Morris Museum’s pioneering
series that showcases fine art created by artists
with disabilities. This exhibition highlights artwork
created by Matheny School students.
People with or without special needs are invited
to come and appreciate the works of art and the
artists who created them.
Please contact nromain@morrismuseum.org
for more information on this exhibition or click here for MathenyArtExhibition
Heroes from Home Depot give The Matheny School a much needed painting!
Thank you Home Depot volunteers!
Vocational Program Helps Emerging Artists Launch their Professional Careers
TWO LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS TURN PASSION INTO A PROFESSION FOR ARTISTS WITH DISABILITIES
Community based vocational programs are helping emerging artists launch their professional art careers.
PEAPACK, NJ, January 30, 2017 – Two forward-thinking NJ non-profits, the Matheny Arts Access Program and Arts Unbound, are proud to announce the start of the second season of Art Garden CSA (Community Supported Art). Both organizations support and serve artists with disabilities, and have collaborated to bring this unique project to reality. The innovative Art Garden connects these artists with the local community, and works to further the professional art careers of the talented artists who participate.
Art CSAs are based on the traditional agriculture CSA model, in which a farmer offers a certain number of “shares” to the public. The “shareholder” receives a box of seasonal produce at pickup events throughout the year.
Substitute “art” for “agriculture,” and you have Art Garden CSA, with shareholders receiving original artwork instead of farm produce. This program is unique in that it is the only CSA which serves and supports artists with disabilities, enabling them to cultivate relationships with art buyers, whose purchases help support and sustain the artist’s career.
“Our Art Garden CSA will help local artists with disabilities launch their professional careers with the hope that they could become self-supporting through the sale of their art,” said
Celene Ryan, Director of Artist Development at Arts Unbound. “It’s a powerful dynamic because when the buyers meet the artists and receive their artwork, it dispels any misperceptions about the range, sophistication and quality of art created by people with disabilities.”
Following a successful, sold out first season, 10 new local artists with disabilities have been selected and will receive a stipend of $2,000 to create 50 pieces of original or limited edition fine art for the Art Garden. Last year, the work ranged from paintings, jewelry, wearable art, and photography. This year’s group of artists promises to deliver equally exciting, innovative work to their shareholder community. The “community” is comprised of any individual or group that purchases one of the 50 available shares. New this year, both half and full shares are available at an affordable price of $225 and $450 respectively. The shareholders will receive their art at two “pick-up” events during the year where they can meet and mingle with the artists.
Eileen Murray, Director of the Arts Access Program, says, “This program puts us at the forefront of an entirely new way of connecting artists with patrons and making original art accessible to first-time buyers. What makes Art Garden CSA so special though, is that not only are you buying outstanding art, every share purchased helps a talented artist with a disability move one step closer towards making a living as a professional artist. Your purchase also goes towards providing training to help our artists develop the entrepreneurial skills, like building a website, promoting their art and nurturing relationships, that will help them succeed in their careers.””
Year one artist Cindy Shanks said, “I was excited and happy to have my work as part of the Art Garden. It meant that people bought my art.” The Art Garden CSA team works to help artists like Cindy turn their passion into a profession one share at a time.
Art Garden CSA is made possible by a generous Community Employment Grant from the Kessler Foundation.
For more information about the Art Garden and to purchase shares, please visit the website: http://www.artgardencsa.org.
Matheny Arts Access empowers individuals with disabilities to create art without boundaries. Through the use of innovative systems and techniques, participants can fully participate in the visual, performing and literary arts. Regardless of their disability, clients are provided with the tools and materials needed to take full creative control over their artistic journey.
Arts Access provides clients with a nurturing environment for expression; a chance to interact with other artists; and an opportunity for performance and exhibition. This program is a vehicle through which disabled individuals can have their ideas; imagination and creativity come to life. www.artsaccessprogram.org.
Arts Unbound is a 501c(3) non-profit organization dedicated to the artistic achievement of people living with disabilities and seniors. They provide visual arts education and professional development to help emerging artists compete on the retail market. They work with learning and emerging artists with disabilities and seniors through the two core programs: visual arts education and artist development. By promoting the work of artists with disabilities and seniors, Arts Unbound centers on their art-making rather than any impairments, and by doing so, challenges the stigma associated with disability and aging. www.artsunbound.org.
Show Your Love Through Amazon Smiles
This Valentine’s Day, show your love to the many children and adults with disabilities who thrive at Matheny.
We couldn’t do the work we do without you!
International Day of Acceptance – January 20th
Acceptance is created from an Empowered movement that Educates others to Embrace diversity and Love Life by seeing beyond abilities.
Please join the Matheny Resident Advocacy Group to: Embrace diversity. Educate your community. Empower each other. Love life. The advocates ask that:
1. If you own clothing with the wheelchair heart symbol wear it on January 20th to show your support!
2. Help support our residents by dressing them in their clothing with the wheelchair heart symbol or BLUE on January 20th
3. Stop by our table to show your support of acceptance during program/school hours in the resident/student dining room
4. Spread the word about International Day of Acceptance on social media #dayofacceptance
Dion Earns Fourth Degree Blackbelt
Did you know that our residents participate in an adapted #karate program in partnership with Quest Karate of Long Valley?
We are proud to announce that Dion “Primetime” recently earned his fourth degree black belt! He used his karate skills to defend against other karate students and even learned a new skill using a bow staff. Dion has been a participant of the adapted karate program at Matheny for the past 14 years. He always gives 110% at every class and is dedicated, motivated, and on a quest to be his best thanks to the guidance of Mr. Tom Kately and the students at the school. Way to go, Primetime!
