Events
VIRTUAL EXHIBITS AND PERFORMANCES
More or Less
We continued our virtual programming by kicking off the year with an exciting virtual exhibit, More or Less, the first Arts Access exhibit to focus on a small group of artists. Highlighting on the painting practice of four artists: Benjamin Cuison, Lloyd Decker, Philip Fisher, and Nancy Soto, “More or Less” spoke to the artistic styles and techniques of this talented group.
International Dance Day
It’s become a tradition at Arts access to celebrate International Dance Day every April 29. For this year’s international dance day, we presented three new dances by Jessica Evans, Philip Fisher, and Ryan Danziger, who made his choreographic debut.
IN-PERSON EXHIBITS AND PERFORMANCES
Show Up & Dance
Arts Access choreographer Philip Fisher amazed audiences at Dance New Jersey’s Show Up and Dance Event on Sunday, March 4, 2024 with his incredible performance of “Maxwell Silverhammer.” Fisher, an Arts Access veteran, showcased his talent and passion for dance, defying stereotypes and inspiring others with his graceful movements and powerful stage presence.
Exhibit at the Somerset County Admin Building
Arts Access returned to the Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission gallery this March and April to showcase 30 paintings by our artists, coinciding with Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month.
Return to Sotheby’s
One of our most exciting events this year was our return to the prestigious Sotheby’s in New York City for a special exhibition highlighting five artists: Jessica Evans, Karen Frascella, Bari Kim Goldrosen, Tammy Heppner, and Paul Santo, as well as a selection of paintings by “rising artists” within the program. The exhibit was on view from March 29 through April 7, and friends, family, and art lovers alike gathered for a beautiful closing reception on Saturday, April 6. A total of 12 paintings sold, and the artists were thrilled to be a part of this important moment as they made their mark on the New York City art world.
Performance at Madison Mostly Dance Festival
Dancers and poets of Arts Access were thrilled to take part in the Madison Mostly Dance Festival, an 11-day showcase of dance, music, and more. On Monday, April 29, the crowd at the Madison Community Arts Center was delighted by innovative choreography and creative poetry by Ryan Danziger, Isabell Villacis, Simon Alexander, and Jasmine Oliver. Joined by dancers from Middlesex College Dance Ensemble, the Arts Access dancers demonstrated how every body can move and dance in their own unique way, challenging preconceived notions of what differently abled bodies can do.
Exhibit at the Morristown Performing Arts Center
We kicked off the summer in Morristown with a lively exhibit of 20 paintings by Arts Access artists at the Morristown Performing Arts Center’s Starlight Gallery. The galleries at MPAC provide a unique opportunity to marry the visual and performing arts and provide exposure to artists with an audience that may not normally frequent an art gallery.
Summer Symbiosis
In July, we elevated our ongoing partnership with JSDD’s WAE Center in a new exhibit at the JSDD’s Heidi Gallery in Livingston, NJ. This new era for Matheny Arts Access and the WAE Center’s collaboration, reimagined as “Summer Symbiosis,” marks a new turn in the road of a longtime partnership in bringing the work of artists with intellectual and developmental disabilities into a commercial art space. We celebrated this exciting collaboration with a reception on July 28.
Hillsborough Dance Performance
In September, we presented an exciting internal event for participants of Matheny’s Hillsborough Day Program. This performance featured dances and writing by George Hoehn, Paul Santo, Karen Frascella, Tammy Heppner, Phil Fisher, Amy Myers, James Lane, Jenny Durr, and Nancy Soto. This new event was a wonderful opportunity for artists to showcase creativity amongst their peers.
Exhibit at the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey
Arts Access made its way over to Summit for a small exhibition in the Visual Arts Center’s Strolling Gallery II from September 21 through November 10. The VAC nurtures the capacity for personal expression, expands the creative experience, and fosters stronger communities by empowering people to see, make, and learn about art.
All Abilities Art Fest
On October 20, Arts Access hosted its inaugural All Abilities Art Fest at its Robert Schonhorn Arts Center on the Matheny campus in Peapack. We welcomed artists and art enthusiast into the arts center to browse and buy from our extensive collection of art, as well as works by artists from JSDD’s WAE Center and The Arc of Essex County, two organizations who are dedicated to supporting the creative ventures of artists with disabilities. We partnered with ARTS By The People from Morristown to lead a poetry workshop and literary open mic, and the Center for Contemporary Art presented plein air painting on our gorgeous campus. In addition, we emphasized the importance of health and wellness with a yoga workshop led by yogi Kate Hewson. This event was the first of its kind and we can’t wait to host our next art fest!
Performance and Exhibit at the Arts Council of Princeton
In November, the Arts Council of Princeton celebrated Art and Health Month by presenting a multidisciplinary event featuring paintings, dances, and written work by the Arts Access artists. An exhibition was on display all month long in the Arts Council’s Solley Lobby, and on November 23 viewers were delighted by dance performances from Nancy Soto, George Hoehn, Jessica Evans, Isabell Villacis, and Josh Handler, and poetry from Tony LaFond, Paul Santo, Tammy Heppner, and Jenny Durr.Â
Exhibit at the Farmstead Arts Center
Arts Access returned to the Farmstead Arts Center in Basking Ridge for another group show of more than 30 works by our artists. The show celebrated bright color and expressive forms that generate positivity as we head into the dark winter season.
ART IN THE COMMUNITY
Exposing our artists’ work to outside galleries, organizations, and collectors is an important part of our mission. Here are all of the juried exhibitions, group shows, other opportunities and arts events that our artists’ work was featured in this year:
Chris Palmer featured in Medford Arts Center Exhibit
Isabell Villacis featured in Community Connections exhibit at the WAE Center
Paul Santo included in annual Viewpoints exhibit at Studio Montclair
Josh Handler featured in Spring exhibit at Farmstead Arts Center
Arts Access paintings are on display at the Peapack post office
SPECIAL PROJECTS
Collaboration with Stitch Ave New York
Arts Access artist Josh Handler collaborated with Stitch Ave New York, a rising NYC-based fashion brand, to create a line of sweatshirts using his artwork. Stitch Ave NY collaborates with artists from diverse backgrounds, every piece embodying a distinct story and reflecting the rich blend of personal history and creative inspiration.
New Artist Merchandise
This year, we introduced three new items to the Arts Access merchandise collection! Including:
- A new necklace, featuring artwork by Yanira Acevedo-Romero
- Out first ever porcelain ornament, featuring artwork by Lloyd Decker
- Our first wine tote, featuring artwork by Anthony Zaccaria
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These new merchandise items not only widened the selection of merchandise items in our Art Shop but also provided more vocational opportunities to our artists.
Fifth Annual Artists Sunday
This fall, Arts Access joined artists and organizations across the country for the fifth annual Artists Sunday, a nationwide event the Sunday after Thanksgiving, encouraging consumers to shop with artists and craftspeople.
Read more about Artists Sunday.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
“Can You” Assembly
 In March, Arts Access presented an assembly to Franklin Elementary School students demonstrating what it’s like working in the Arts Access Program. The teachers and students were engaged and asked thoughtful questions about the different ways to communicate and move with dancers with disabilities.
15th Annual CAN Awards
On Thursday, May 30th, Arts Access attended this annual awards ceremony honoring excellence in cultural access throughout New Jersey. One of the honorees at the event was presented a painting by Arts Access artist Cheryl Chapin.
Workshop for the Presidents’ Council of the Disability & Philanthropy ForumÂ
On Monday, June 24, Arts Access Program Director Heather Williams and Painting Facilitator Joe Matousek presented a staff facilitation workshop during an annual event at the Presidents’Â Council of the Disability & Philanthropy Forum.
Art in the Park
On Sunday, September 15th, Arts Access participated in Peapack-Gladstone’s 24th annual Art in the Park event. We loved meeting new faces, reconnecting with old friends, and selling Arts Access merchandise along the way!
OceanFirst Nonprofit Enterprise Showcase
On Thursday, November 14, Arts Access attended a nonprofit enterprise showcase at OceanFirst to speak with employees about Arts Access, promote the program, and sell Arts Access merchandise.
Peer Development Day at Roxbury High School
On Thursday, November 20, Arts Access and Common Grounds visited Roxbury High School to present a facilitation workshop to its students who participate in its peer-to-peer art and physical education programs, a new initiative where students are partnered with their IDD peers during art and gym classes. The workshop resulted in lively discussion about the realities of working with individuals with complex disabilities.
Both virtual and in-person facilitation has continued to grow and flourish at Arts Access! We are pleased to have welcomed five new artists to our roster this year.
ART SALES
We are thrilled to share that thanks to our generous supporters and collectors, we sold 55 paintings by our artists this year!
We’d like to say a very special thank you to all of our supporters for helping us continue to create great opportunities like the ones listed here for our artists. Thanks for a memorable and unique year!
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