The Artistic Spectrum
March 18, 2008 by Kristina Chew, PhD
Filed under Health
Yes, I do mean “artistic”: The Artistic Spectrum is the name of an exhibition of artwork of young people aged 10-21 with an autism spectrum disorder. The exhibition will be held at the Jewish Community Center in Manhattan. Other events will include an Opening Reception to meet the artists (April 2); a Family Art Day (April 6); and a Lit Café (April 10, 7-9pm) featuring writers on the autism spectrum. Amy Gravino, Jason Ross, Cliff Schumacher, and Leigh Silver will read; Jacob Artson will read via a live feed from LA. My friend MothersVox and I will also read. And, on April 16, comedian Elijah Wapner will perform and the MTV “True Life” series and Autism: The Musical will be screened, and there will be a Q & A session with director Tricia Regan.
Contact Beth Rosenberg for more details and maybe I’ll see you on the 10th of April!
How neat! I so wish we were up in NYC to see this. Can’t wait to hear your report on it. I love hearing about stuff like this! Not to brag (okay I will!), but I have a feeling my artistic autistic one will be in such a show down the road.
I hope that will happen sooner than soon!
What an amazing idea this is, I would be curious to see the true life video as well as the movie that is being premiered there. I think its beautiful to have creative outlets like these especially for children on the spectrum. Thanks for posting this Kristina!
Kristina,
Much thanks for this lead!
Your husband and I met briefly at the ASA conference two years ago. A friend of mine cindy recently sent your blog to me.. Keep up the great work.
I would love to get our boys together or at the very least have an opportunity to meet you. We live in neighboring towns and know our energy together will continue the social justice movement for ASD individuals and families.
Looking forward to continued success!
michelle
Jonathon,
The artistic movement for ASD individuals is far deeper than Creativity. Google True life or check out You tube you will be able to access the entire series and more. The Saori Weaving art form has created amazing environmentally sustainable, spiritually fulfilling, social just co-ops in Japan for individuals with learning differences, Julia Kellman has authored a book Autism, Art and Children, at the Outsider Art Fair In NYC you can see the work of many individuals on the spectrum who are being supported by galleries and not only generating income but more importantly are creating vivacious lives for themselves and their communities.
We have only just begun. I can’t wait to see what will happen for all individuals once we as a society really begin to realize our POWER !
My very first brush with autism (that I knew of) was when I was 13. My middle school was chosen as the integration school for the autistic students in the county who could not attend regular classes full time. These kids had their own classroom for regular school and were integrated into non-academic classes like lunch or choir. We were told about the group to be joining us, and I got SO mad and jealous that I wasn’t included.
I’m sure you can see where this is going: I thought they’d said ‘artistic’ and was incredibly hurt that I hadn’t been included in the group! Who would have guessed that ten years later I’d be wondering where I stand in relation to the autism spectrum?
One never knows—–I think also of the students who I took Latin with for 3 years—all the male students went to study engineering. (And none took the 4th year of Latin—-I read Latin love poetry on my own with the teacher.)
Kristina, do you teach only undergrad, or postgrad as well? My girlfriend is a Classics major as an undergrad right now, and I have a feeling she would love classes with you. Sorry, that’s totally off topic, but I’ve been meaning to ask.
Very glad to answer—I only teach undergrad. Is she thinking of getting an MA or a PhD? I love what I teach, I have to say—great to hear that she is a Classics major!
For now, probably just an MA, but eventually we’ll both end up with PhDs, I expect. I’m burnt out on school to the point of not finishing my dissertation for my MA right now, yet strangely miss being in the classroom! If you taught postgrad, I was going to really push for her to come up and do her MA with you!