From Harford County government:
July 1 through July 31, artists with and without disabilities will demonstrate that art has no boundaries at an exhibit at the Student Gallery in Joppa Hall at Harford Community College, 401 Thomas Run Road, Bel Air. The gallery is open Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. until 10:00 p.m., Fridays from 7:30 a.m. until 9:15 p.m., and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. The Student Gallery is closed on Sundays.
“This is the second year of Art Without Boundaries,” explained Marc Weinstein, Chair of the Harford County Commission on Disabilities. “We’re grateful to Dean Paul Labe, of Harford Community College’s Visual, Performing and Applied Arts Division for providing a wonderful venue for the event, which demonstrates that art is a universal experience that people of all abilities can appreciate. We also take the opportunity to celebrate the anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act.”
Some of the art to be displayed was created through an inclusive art program sponsored annually by The Arc Northern Chesapeake Region’s inclusive recreation program as well as by the Harford County Cultural Arts Board.
Over the past five years the Community Open Air Studio has brought together many artists from Harford County with and without disabilities to paint freely in several outdoor settings. The artists learn from each other, socialize, and enjoy each other’s company all while painting various scenic landmarks around the county. Members of Harford Artists, partners with the Arc in the Open Air Studio, will also exhibit their work.
“Art is an expression of one’s self, and we all have a vision and a story to tell. Without this partnership, stories of several artists would not have been heard,” said Chass Seymour, Inclusive Recreation Coordinator for the Arc Northern Chesapeake Region.
Other pieces come from artists in the Key Point Health Services Psychiatric Rehabilitation Program, which offers a weekly art class for clients to promote creativity and self-expression.
According to Liz Tutino, Harford Residential Program Manager, “Clients learn about artists through lectures and slides of famous masterpieces. In addition to historical information about the artist and period in which they worked, clients learn art concepts and techniques and are given the opportunity to create their own compositions using a masterpiece as inspiration. Art classes were supplemented by trips to the Baltimore Museum of Art to see original art.”
The Commission on Disabilities, the Harford County Cultural Arts Board, and The Arc Northern Chesapeake Region, will host a reception at the Joppa Hall Student Gallery on Tuesday, July 26, 2011, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. to recognize the work of the artists and to commemorate the 21st Anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
The reception will feature art, music, and light refreshments. The public is invited to attend this free event. For more information, and to request disability-related accommodations, please contact Sharon Grzanka, Disabilities Coordinator, at 410-638-3373 voice/TTY or disability@harfordcountymd.gov.
The Harford County Commission on Disabilities was established in 1995 to serve as the voice of the disability community in Harford County. Members are appointed by the County Executive, with the approval of the County Council.
The Harford County Department of Community Services was established in 1979 via Executive order and works daily to meet the needs of our senior, youth, persons with disabilities and those struggling to overcome addiction. The Department works with federal, state, local, and private agencies to ensure that our county continues to evolve and remains dedicated to providing the best possible services for our citizens and community.
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