Editor's Message

Art has been a hobby and passion of people with disabilities for as long as TRC has been in existence. When our first educational classes began in 1959, arts and crafts were key components of the daily lesson plans. Over the years, we’ve been fortunate to have some extremely talented artists among us. In fact, Rita Genusso, who began receiving supports from TRC in the 1960s and continues to participate in our Dunkirk Work Center Program, made news in 1969 when she was disqualified from a national Christmas card design competition for children with disabilities because her creations “were too good. ... The public would never believe they were drawn by someone who is retarded.” (This story does have a happy ending, however: That year Rita’s work was selected for an exhibit at the Lincoln Center in New York City, and three of her drawings then were chosen for an exhibition on the “Today” television show.)

More recently, paintings and photographs created by individuals with disabling conditions at TRC have won recognition at the Chautauqua County Fair and at regional and state-wide competitions. Two local women challenged by mental illness self-published a book of their original poetry. Area galleries have showcased works created by people with disabilities in the past few years, and paintings by artists with cognitive disabilities will be on exhibit at even more venues in 2008 (including the recent exhibit at the Prendergast Library).

In an effort to give more people the opportunity to experience the arts, in 2007 TRC collaborated with the Arts Council for Chautauqua County, The ArtsCenter at Dave Poulin Studios and independent artists to offer classes in painting, mixed media, dance/movement, drama, music, and song writing. The results have been amazing. Individuals with cognitive disabilities have immersed themselves in these various art forms. The progress is tangible, yet varied – while some people are creating truly outstanding, intricate paintings, others demonstrate success by being able to grasp such concepts as foreground, reflections and shadows.

Our collaborations with local organizations and artists convinced us that we should continue – and expand – our art programs. We have brought Kristen Briggs, an energetic young artist who has experience working with disabled adults, on board to continue to teach art to persons with disabilities throughout TRC.

Our 2008 Calendar features works created by individuals with disabling conditions from programs throughout TRC. Some of the works were created completely independently; some involved having Kristen or TRC staff members support the disabled artists’ efforts through hand-over-hand guidance or by doing finishing work on the paintings. Common to all of these efforts are the feelings of satisfaction, pride and accomplishment that come from being able to watch other people admiring a work of art and knowing, “I made that!”