Published: March 05, 2009 01:36 pm      

Gallery on Pearl in New Albany hosting exhibit showcasing those with developmental disabilities

Celebrating ability through art

In recognition of National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, the Gallery on Pearl in New Albany will show off works from all abilities in a new exhibit opening Friday.

The “Creativity Knows No Limits: An Exhibit of Fine Art Celebrating Artists who have Special Abilities” will feature 15 to 20 ceramics and paintings produced by six StudioWorks artists who are residents of the Louisville-based Cedar Lake, which provides residential options, housing, services and support designed to meet the needs of adults with intellectual disabilities.

Cathy Dusel, manager of the gallery, said her facility always works to showcase the talent of area artists and this is just another opportunity for them to do just that.

“It is a unique opportunity to see diverse art,” she said. “We feel like we are giving an opportunity to all local and regional artists of all abilities and disabilities. That’s our mission of the gallery — to have a place for artists to show their work and sell their work and to encourage them to do more work.”

This won’t be the first time the works of these artists are shown to the public. Artist Eric Huggins has also exhibited his art in the famed Soho District of New York City and at the Louisville Zoo. All of the artists and their work have been featured at the Kentucky Museum of Art & Craft. They have also displayed their creations at Norton Audubon Hospital’s music therapy department.

“This is about featuring and celebrating their creativity and giving them the opportunity to get the word out about organizations that are doing these things,” Dusel said.

Dusel said everything will be for sale. According to a press release from the gallery, 80 percent of proceeds will go directly to the artist. The other 20 percent is reinvested in art supplies for StudioWorks artists.

Coinciding with the opening of this exhibit are many additional openings including The Rauch Center's “A Place to Create” at 113 E. Market, Preston Arts Center at 315 Pearl, “Gallery 216” in the Petery-Hedden Building at 216 Pearl and a discussion on opportunities for regional artists at The Carnegie Center for Art and History at 201 Spring.



SO YOU KNOW

• WHAT: Creativity Knows No Limits: An Exhibit of Fine Art Celebrating Artists who have Special Abilities

• WHEN: 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., Friday

• WHERE: The Gallery on Pearl, 222 Pearl Street, in New Albany

• DETAILS: The show will feature the work of six residents of the Louisville-based Cedar Lake. Refreshments will be served. The show will continue through March 27.

• FOR MORE INFORMATION: Call 812-542-0780 or visit www.thegalleryonpearl.com.