HeartShare Human Services of New York
From 2019-2021, I was the Brooklyn artist-in-residence at HeartShare Human Services of New York. Over the course of two years, I developed short-term and long-term workshops for adults with intellectual and development disabilities and also created artwork to bring joy and inspiration to the day programs. Some of the individuals' artwork created in my workshops has been displayed at Clover Gallery, Resorts World Red Wall Art Gallery, and other venues throughout New York City.
In March 2020, I migrated my services to online platforms in order to safely serve individuals living in quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic. This work was mentioned in the online arts magazine Hyperallergic. As the pandemic wore on, I was commissioned to paint murals for individuals living in the organization's group homes. These murals were profiled in the popular art history podcast "Beyond the Paint (with Bernadine)" and other outlets.
In March 2020, I migrated my services to online platforms in order to safely serve individuals living in quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic. This work was mentioned in the online arts magazine Hyperallergic. As the pandemic wore on, I was commissioned to paint murals for individuals living in the organization's group homes. These murals were profiled in the popular art history podcast "Beyond the Paint (with Bernadine)" and other outlets.
The above photo features a collaborative sgraffito painting I made with individuals at HeartShare. It is a 36"x48" acrylic on canvas and was installed at the Bay Ridge location before being exhibited at the Salesforce Tower overlooking Bryant Park in Manhattan and Resorts World Red Wall Art Gallery in Jamaica, Queens.
The three photographs above (click to enlarge) show an abstraction of leopard print. This abstraction was created using acrylic and made collaboratively on a 36"x4*' canvas with individuals at HeartShare. The smaller painting is a piece I created as our launching point for abstraction. Learn more about the process for this piece in a feature published by the San Antonio Review.
Sometimes I work one-on-one with individuals who have a strong interest in collaborating with me. The piece featured above is a 24"x36" photo print with acrylic spray paint and chalk pastel. I took and printed the photo and applied the acrylic spray paint. I then worked with John Wojciechowski to apply the chalk pastel.
The above painting is an example of a piece I made independently to demonstrate techniques and inspire individuals at the day program. It was also published in a Brooklyn Reporter feature.
The above photograph shows one of my pieces installed in Heartshare's physical therapy room in Bay Ridge.
Download my 2020 springtime celebration coloring sheet, which I made during the COVID-19 shutdown.
