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Annual Full Circle Celebration Showcases
Talent and Passion of Artists with Disabilities
 Cindy Shanks performing her dance,
"August Rhapsody".
 Kevin White, dancing in
"Improvisation Trio".
Linda Martin of Morris Plains with
her son,
Michael, an Arts Access
artist.
Peapack-Gladstone Mayor William
Horton and his wife, Linda,
a Matheny trustee.
Full Circle 2011 Dimensions, the annual celebration of Matheny's Arts Access Program, highlighted the different dimensions of the program’s artists. “They may be painters.” explained Eileen Murray, Arts Access director. “They may be playwrights; they may be dancers or choreographers. Arts Access gives them the opportunity to sample all that and to find their one passion or several different passions.”
Untitled by Shaleena Tomassini.
Arts Access enables people with disabilities to create fine art, assisted by professional artist-facilitators. At Full Circle 2011, held Saturday, November 5, in the Robert Schonhorn Arts Center on the Matheny campus, 42 pieces of visual art were exhibited during a reception in the gallery. The exhibit was curated by Madison-based artist, Dan Fenelon. A stage presentation showcased dance, drama and poetry created by the artists. Professional dancers and actors, some Arts Access staff members, performed with the Arts Access artists. During the gallery reception, food tasting stations were donated by Ciao, Basking Ridge; cocoLuxe Fine Pastries, Peapack; Due Terre Enoteca, Bernardsville; Gladstone Tavern, Gladstone; 3 West Restaurant, Basking Ridge; and Village Office Supply, Somerset.
Untitled by Alex Stojko.
Speaking to a packed theater prior to the stage presentation, Steve Proctor, Matheny president, pointed out that Matheny patients often have great difficulty communicating, but, “Arts Access provides them with an opportunity for creative expression.” It reflects, he added, Matheny’s efforts, “to enrich their entire lives, to provide them with a full spectrum of life experiences.” Pamela Cembrook, a resident of Bernardsville and Matheny trustee, was honorary chair of the event.
 "Group Home" by Ellen Kane.
 "Linda" by Cindy Shanks
 "Mountain of Joy" by Anthony LaFond.
 Chris Saglimbene performing his "Mortal Kombat" dance
with Corey Bliss, left, and Elizabeth Zelesny.
Volunteer beverage servers Coner Entwistle, left, and
James Santoro.
"Pentagon" by Todd Scally.
Jessica Evans performing her dance, "My Brain's on Fire"
with professional dancers and actors.
Actress Alexandra Hellquist reading "My Pakistani
Princess",
written by Mike Cornely, right.
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