Programs providing cultural support in collaboration with neurodiverse artists have been around for a long time. The versions we know today are a product of “deinstitutionalization,” a process which closed many of the long-term psychiatric institutions replacing them with community scaled programs. Oakland, California’s Creative Growth (1974) was one of the first programs which dealt exclusively with the needs of artists who are considered to have disabilities.
While Creative Growth remains perhaps the largest, and certainly the most well-known program of its kind, there are hundreds of programs throughout the US who support artists in a myriad of ways. These programs range from daily studio programs to evening get-togethers and to church basement workshops. These program’s share the belief that artists with disabilities, given time and support, will find their own path. Staff are often more like coaches or facilitators, only switching to “teacher” when called upon.
We Take the Long Way, is how artist Beverly Powell described her process as an artist going from an institutional setting where “they didn’t let me crayon,” to supportive programs where she is able to flourish and create the vivid paintings of bouquets she is now known for today. Oregon is credited with many programs who collaborate with neurodiverse artists. For this exhibition we focused on artists who are near the I-5 corridor in Medford, Eugene, Corvallis, and Portland. We hope that this exhibition will highlight this practice as a statewide phenomenon.
Part 1: an exhibit celebrating the art of neuro-diverse artists in Oregon…and the programs that support and collaborate with them at The Schneider Museum of Art
Ashland, Oregon October 5 - December 10, 2021
Artists include...
Consuelo Kurz, Maxwell Fadden, Ryan Alvarez, Leah Maiuri, Linda Bach, Matt Conklin, Greg Persons, Patrick Hackleman, Kurt Fisk, Susan Woods, Michelle Fromme, Benjamin Murphy, Marieke Mirsch, Larry Hurst, Linda Bach, Matt Conklin, Greg Persons, Kurt Fisk, Susan Woods, Michelle Fromme, Benjamin Murphy, Marieke Mirsch, Larry Hurst, Beverly Powell, Rachel Grant, Mike Fairchild, Anna Trammell, Daniel McKay, Ryan Tevlin, Dennis Baisinger, Mildred Brown, Laura Bruyere, Sherri Corrick, Corrie Evilsizer, Gary Priest, Pierre Pyke, Crystal Rector, Bonnie Wald, Alex Russnoggle, Roger Hancock
Organizations include....
Living Studios (Cornerstone Assoc.) Corvallis, The Studio at Living Opportunities, Medford, Public Annex, Portland, OSLP Arts & Culture, Eugene, OUTPOST1000, Corvallis
more info: bburris@cornerstoneassoc.org, bburris1000@gmail.com
...We Take the Long Way...
Part 2: @ OUTPOST1000
Opening Reception: Thursday December 16, 4-8pm (part of CAW)
This exhibit will be up for two months and will be a part of CAW reception 12/16/21 and 1/20/22 Exhibit closes: 2/14/22 (viewing after reception by appointment only)
OUTPOST1000 entrance is on Corner of 4th and SW Monroe (formerly CEI ArtWorks)
