W83 Gallery was buzzing with excitement Friday evening where artists were eager to show off their work during the opening of Show Up and Show Out, a group exhibition featuring artwork by 17 neurodiverse artists.
Presented by AHRC New York City, the exhibit showcases paintings, drawings, and fiber art created by participants of the organization’s day services at Fisher Center in East Harlem that serves adults with intellectual disabilities.
Several of the exhibiting artists were on hand Friday evening to greet visitors and share their creations. On view is a vivid array of artwork featuring elaborate weaving, abstract patterns, vibrant flowers, lettering, portraits, cartoon characters, and more.
“This is one of our largest shows that we’ve had, with this many artists, and I feel like this wall is just a small piece of the actual work that goes on in the program. It’s really fulfilling,” Fisher Center’s Community Support Supervisor, CieraMarie Mitchell, said during an address to the crowd.
Anita Payne has been attending the Fisher Center for almost 30 years, drawing and making jewelry, according to her mother, Lucille Payne. “She can sit for hours and hours and work on her jewelry. That’s her passion. She loves color,” Lucille noted. Two years ago, Anita discovered a new passion—weaving. Anita’s Quilt is a 39” x 50” rainbow patchwork composed of colorful squares stitched together and adorned with red and blue raindrop-shaped ornaments dangling like jewels. “She just started [fiber art] and she fell in love with it,” said Lucille.
“You don’t know [an artist's potential] until you give someone the materials and you give them the space, and the patience. The patience to let people explore,” said Naomi Lawrence, an art consultant at Fisher Center who launched the weaving program during the pandemic.
L-R: "Nest #1" and "Nest #2" by Angel Oliveras
Like the birds referenced in the title of his works, Angel Oliveras searches for and collects scraps of fabric and other materials and incorporates the pieces into his Nest series of circle weavings. His dynamic and whimsical spirals of yarn are the cat's meow!
“The people we support are artists,” said Naomi, who teaches weaving to about 30 artists at Fisher Center. “I’m very lucky to work with them.”
AHRC has been providing services and support to neurodiverse New Yorkers of all ages across NYC for more than 70 years. Along with educational and employment programs, the organization offers various activities, such as art, providing creative outlets for artists with developmental disabilities.
“I’m very proud of the artists. It’s so fun to see what they create. It’s so fun to see how they grow,” said Jon Bunge, who teaches drawing and painting to more than 30 artists at Fisher Center. “It’s an exciting job. I’m very blessed to be able to work with these artists.” Jon has worked at Fisher Center for seven years and has helped curate more than a dozen past exhibits.
While some of his artists create from imagination, others prefer to use reference images, ranging from familiar masterpieces to photos of famous figures. Using colored pencils and markers, Nichole Perez draws images of pop stars as well as unmistakable depictions of Barack Obama, Albert Einstein, Michael Jackson, and Abraham Lincoln in her piece History People.
Jon’s enthusiasm and joy are apparent as he discusses the art program and the exhibit. “By making these works, the artists that we support get a real sense of meaning, of purpose, and of accomplishment,” he said. “It’s really wonderful to see that and that’s epitomized tonight when we can see their work up on the wall.”
L-R: "Pat" and "Woman with a Pink Face on a Red Background" by Devona Gamble
Devona Gamble, who creates portraits with dazzling pops of color, happily showed her artwork to visitors, proudly pointing out the flaming haired “Pat” as her personal favorite.
“It’s seeing people create. It is seeing the self-esteem people get from it,” Jon continued. “They feel a tremendous sense of accomplishment. And seeing [their work] in a public space, they’re proud, their families are proud…. I hope visitors [to the exhibit] take away the fact that everyone has the potential to create something.”
Naomi recalled a fiber artist’s reaction to seeing her work displayed for the first time at a previous exhibit. “She did a double-take and she stepped away and said, ‘I need a moment.’ She was so overwhelmed with emotion and pride. I want all the artists to feel that tonight.”
It isn’t just the final work and the exhibitions that make the Fisher Center’s art program so meaningful. It’s also the community and connections the artists find in working together. “That is the family that is Fisher Center,” Naomi noted. “We go through highs and lows and losses, and we all rally together.”
Anita’s mom, Lucille, agreed. “It’s bringing them together. It’s amazing,” she said. Anita’s artwork is “an expression of her,” she continued. “She’s bringing it out and she’s putting it in weaving, she’s putting it on paper. She’s expressing her love and you can feel it, and that makes me so happy.”
L-R: Works by Jeffrey Holloway and Oswald James
L-R: Works by Wayne Anderson and Carol Fields
L-R: Fiber works by Guadalupe Quinto (top) and Kim Worthmann (bottom): Tahira Curtis