By Lynne Kirby
TLS, Art Specialist
On Tuesday, September 20, I arrived at the Columbus Museum of Art just in time to enjoy some tasty pastries and coffee before the start of the Arts & Autism Conference: Creating, Learning, Living. It was hosted by VSA Ohio: The State Organization on Arts and Disability and the Columbus Museum of Art.
A full-day sensory-friendly conference, it was packed full of great information on research, practice, and presentation, bringing together those who specialize or have an interest in how art and autism meet in the middle. I learned many things from presenters and attendees alike. I made exciting contacts in the crowd and am ready to share this information with my cohorts here at TLS.
Much of the conference delved into accessibility and making “safe spaces” for people on the spectrum. Michael Bongiorno, President, Design Group, Columbus, Ohio, was the keynote speaker and clearly represented problem solving and developing solutions when designing the new additions to the Columbus Museum of Art. Considerations must be given to all people, including those on the spectrum. It is exciting to me that these changes are being made right here, right now!
The morning session I attended was entitled, “Yo, N.B.D!” The presenter, Ms. Written (Qori Moorehaul), is a self-taught artist that struggled to find her place as an artist while carrying around much negative energy. She was diagnosed in 2014 as NLD, Nonverbal Learning Disorder. Her artwork now is based on taking negativity and turning it into something “positively beautiful.”
Her art career is growing and she is quite involved in the art community. She is currently working on a project called “Yo! N.B.D.”, a series of 6” x 6” paintings, each representing a negative word that people have used in describing her. Our hands-on session involved writing a negative word someone has called us on a slip of paper, trading the papers, and using these words as the theme for a painting. We used the art to show that we art NOT defined by this word. She is confident that a project like this can help change the view that others may have of those that are different.
The lunchtime speakers featured our own Peter Crawford, who is currently active in producing, acting, directing, and much more. I was so proud to see him as a presenter at this important conference and be able to say, “I know him!”
The afternoon session for me was working with clay. The presenter was Lisa Culp, owner of Bareclay Studio, and a consultant to Sunapple Studio. She works in collaboration with ARC Industries and Franklin County Board of Developmental Disabilities. She also has created programs to incorporate artists with disabilities into the job market and community through the arts. Participants in this workshop were given clay to explore and then were directed in artistic, therapeutic art-making. Emphasis is placed solely on process, not a finished product. CREATING • LEARNING • LIVING as a paid, professional artist was exhibited at this workshop.
The other afternoon session I attend was entitled, “Curiosity, Creativity, & Connection.” Presenters were Patty Mitchell of Creative Abundance Group, who has worked for 20 years as a social innovator leading collaborations between artists with and without perceived differences. Susan Dlouhy of Athens, Ohio is also with Creative Abundance Consulting. She directs two sheltered workshops in Ohio. This workshop provided current information about how art making can lead to community connections, making a positive impact on individuals, families, and the larger community.
I didn’t want the day to end. It was quite well organized, pertinent, and informative. I have the PDF of the Conference Agenda on my computer if anyone is interested in reading further about any of the presenters or their material.
To see more, go to vsao.org.