Every day at Arts Access is shaped by creative exploration, collaboration, and meaningful opportunity. In 2025, our artists reached new audiences, strengthened partnerships across New Jersey and beyond, and continued to redefine what access in the arts can look like. From virtual exhibits and internal workshops to major public performances and exhibitions, this year was filled with moments that celebrated artistic expression, inclusion, and community. Below is a look back at some of the most memorable highlights of 2025.
Events
VIRTUAL EXHIBITS AND PERFORMANCES
Plays By People (Virtual Edition)
In March, Arts Access partnered once again with Premiere Stages to present a virtual edition of Plays By People. Formerly part of the Stages Festival, this program featured staged readings written by Arts Access playwrights and performed by professional actors. The event provided a national platform for our writers’ voices and reinforced the importance of accessible pathways into the theatrical arts.
The Color of Rebellion
We continued to expand our virtual exhibition programming with The Color of Rebellion, a powerful online exhibition presented by Inside Small. Featuring paintings by Cheryl Chapin and Ben Cuison, the exhibit explored how visual art can serve as a form of resistance, questioning authority, challenging norms, and inspiring social change. The exhibition ran from April through June and opened with a well-attended virtual reception that brought together artists, supporters, and viewers from across the country.
International Dance Day
International Dance Day on April 29 remains a cherished tradition at Arts Access. This year’s celebration featured recorded performances by Arts Access choreographers, shared virtually and internally across the Matheny community. Residents and staff also took part in a dance challenge, emphasizing joy, movement, and participation at every level.
IN-PERSON EXHIBITS AND PERFORMANCES
First Look Friday: For the Love of Art
We celebrated Valentine’s Day with an intimate internal event at the Hillsborough Day Program. This pop-up gallery showcased paintings by Arts Access artists and offered Matheny staff and families an opportunity to engage directly with the work being created within the program.
Show Up & Dance
Arts Access returned to Montclair State University in March as part of Dance New Jersey’s Show Up & Dance showcase. Isabell Villacis’ dance Count On Me was performed on a professional stage, affirming the growing presence of Arts Access dancers within the broader New Jersey dance community.
Exhibit at Morristown Performing Arts Center
In April, Arts Access artists were featured in a month-long exhibition at MPAC’s Starlight Gallery. Approximately fifteen paintings were on view, reaching audiences who may not typically encounter visual art in a gallery setting and reinforcing the powerful connection between the performing and visual arts.
Pfizer Headquarters Showcase
Arts Access brought twelve paintings to Pfizer’s New York City headquarters for a special internal exhibition and artist talk. Artists shared insight into the program’s facilitation model, and an employee raffle generated both sales and meaningful dialogue around inclusion and creative expression in the workplace.
Art Fair 14C
In May, Arts Access participated in Art Fair 14C in Jersey City, an annual showcase celebrating artists and galleries from across the state and surrounding region. Arts Access presented a dedicated wall of artwork by program artists over the four-day fair, introducing their work to new collectors, curators, and members of the public. Participation in Art Fair 14C expanded the visibility of Arts Access within a major regional arts platform and strengthened connections within the broader arts community.
Summer Symbiosis
Our ongoing collaboration with JSDD’s WAE Center continued with Summer Symbiosis, a large-scale exhibition in Livingston featuring 60 works by artists from both programs. This annual collaboration highlighted the strength of partnership and the richness of creative dialogue between artists with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
River Dance Festival
In August, Arts Access choreography traveled beyond New Jersey when Jess Evans’ dance was performed at the River Dance Festival in New Hope, Pennsylvania. Hosted by Roxey Ballet, the festival brought together artists from across the country, further expanding the reach of Arts Access’ performance work.
Open Mic Night
In October, Arts Access collaborated with Matheny’s Music Therapy program to present an internal Open Mic Night. Featuring poetry and music by residents and group home clients, the event created a welcoming space for artistic sharing and peer connection.
Full Circle 2025
The year culminated with Full Circle 2025: The Making of an Artist, our biennial multimedia celebration at the Matheny campus. The event brought together a gallery exhibition and reception, stage performances, and a silent auction, honoring the breadth of artistic work created by Arts Access artists across disciplines.
View photos from Full Circle 2025.
Exhibit at CSB Fine Arts
Arts Access concluded 2025 with a new collaboration at CSB Fine Arts in Brooklyn’s DUMBO neighborhood. Outside My Window featured original paintings by Arts Access artists on view from December 4 through December 24, 2025. An opening reception welcomed visitors to engage with the work in person, and the exhibition expanded our regional reach while elevating our artists within a prestigious contemporary gallery setting.
ART IN THE COMMUNITY
& SPECIAL PROJECTS
Throughout 2025, Arts Access artists were featured in numerous juried exhibitions and community-based shows, including presentations at Drawing Rooms in Jersey City, Farmstead Arts Center in Basking Ridge, Hillsdale Public Library, and the WAE Open at JSDD’s Heidi Gallery. These opportunities extended the visibility of our artists’ work and strengthened Arts Access’ presence within regional and national arts spaces.
Playwriting Workshop with Premiere Stages
In March, Arts Access partnered with Premiere Stages to offer a playwriting workshop at the Hillsborough Day Program. Led by professional theater artists, the workshop provided participants with the opportunity to explore storytelling, character development, and dialogue while developing original dramatic work. This collaboration supported creative skill-building and expanded access to the theatrical arts for Arts Access clients.
Educational and Team-Building Workshops
Arts Access continued to prioritize facilitation and education through workshops with Roxbury High School, Bernards High School’s Best Buddies program, Affinity Federal Credit Union, and Raritan Valley Community College. These experiences fostered dialogue around disability, creativity, and inclusive practice.
Resource Expos and Community Outreach
Arts Access participated in multiple disability resource expos throughout the year, including the Abilities Expo, regional transition fairs, and county-wide resource events, connecting families and individuals with information about the program and its services.
Arts Access also participated in Peapack-Gladstone’s Art in the Park, a vibrant community event celebrating local creativity. Artists and staff connected with new audiences, shared information about the program, and offered prints and merchandise for sale, strengthening Arts Access’ presence within the local community.
New Artist Merchandise
In 2025, Arts Access expanded its merchandise offerings, creating new vocational opportunities for artists while broadening the ways supporters can engage with and collect their work. This year, we introduced candles, puzzles, coasters, a 2026 wall calendar, and a holiday ornament. Each item features original artwork by Arts Access artists and reflects our ongoing commitment to transforming creative expression into meaningful professional experiences. These additions strengthened the Arts Access Art Shop and supported greater visibility and sustainability for the program.
Sixth Annual Artists Sunday
This fall, Arts Access joined artists and organizations across the country for the sixth annual Artists Sunday, a nationwide event the Sunday after Thanksgiving, encouraging consumers to shop with artists and craftspeople.
Read more about Artists Sunday.
Art for Commercial Spaces
In 2025, Arts Access launched its Art for Commercial Spaces initiative, designed to bring original artwork by our artists into workplace and public environments while creating sustainable income opportunities. Through this program, our curatorial team collaborates with businesses and organizations to select, acquire, lease, and professionally install artwork that enhances interiors and reflects a commitment to inclusivity and social responsibility. This initiative not only elevates commercial and institutional spaces with meaningful visual expression, but also directly benefits Arts Access artists, who retain 50 percent of the proceeds from sales of their work while supporting the continued growth of the program.
ARTICLES & INTERVIEWS
Throughout 2025, our artists and the program were featured in a variety of articles and interviews, highlighting the talents and achievements of individuals with disabilities and the importance of access for all.
Artists with Disabilities Head to Jersey City for Prestigious Art Fair, featured on Patch.com
RVCC Students Perform with Matheny Artists, Gain ‘Deeper’ Level of Interaction with People with Disabilities, featured on NewJerseyStage.com
The Heart of Inclusion: A Candid Conversation with the Hosts of the Between Us Moms Podcast, interview written by Meghan F of the Arts Access Program
Fashion for Every Body: Whitney LaMonda on Disability Representation, interview written by Meghan F of the Arts Access Program
Behind the scenes of Full Circle:
- The Making of the Gallery Exhibit, interview with Julia Halsey of Arts Access
- The Making of the Stage Show, interview with Heather Williams of Arts Access
- The Making of a Painter, interview with Arts Access artist Amy Myers
- The Making of a Dancer, interview with Arts Access choreographer George Hoehn
- The Making of a Writer, interview with Arts Access writer Paul Santo
LOOKING AHEAD
As we close out 2025, we are excited to build on this momentum in the coming year. Collaborations with Premiere Stages, Kean University, and additional gallery partners are already underway for 2026, ensuring continued opportunities for our artists to grow, perform, and be seen.
We extend our deepest gratitude to our artists, families, facilitators, partners, collectors, and supporters for making 2025 such a meaningful year. Your commitment allows Arts Access to continue creating spaces where creativity knows no limits.
To stay connected with Arts Access and follow our upcoming projects, we invite you to join our email list and follow us on social media.
