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GoggleWorks Center for the Arts
Gallery Room 240
July 26 - July 31, 2021
Abilities in Motion is partnering with GoggleWorks to present an art exhibition featuring the works of artists with disabilities in honor of the 31st anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA).
The annual ADA Celebration Art Show recognizes the anniversary of the ADA by highlighting the culturally diverse artistic talent of people with disabilities within our local community. Art allows individuals with disabilities to develop a sense of identity and serves as a medium to explore ideas and emotions not otherwise easily expressed. We hope you’ll enjoy these artists’ disability stories through art!
Abilities in Motion, a Berks-county based nonprofit, has been helping individuals with disabilities live independent, self-determined lives since 1989. Let’s connect!
Anna Hartman
My name is Anna, also named Aaron Hartman. I face difficulties because of my disabilities: autism, PTSD, mental health issues, etc. are some of the problems I face. Even though I have difficulties, I have achieved and accomplished many of these problems. I can make a difference through my artwork.
“Vote of Democracy”
acrylic
Elections are fragile and precious to experience. It is rewarding for the winner and disappointing for the loser. I encourage people to vote because it is their fundamental right. Diverse groups should want to vote. Voting is inclusive!
Alex Thomas Boyer
I am an 18-year-old autistic boy who finds drawing calming. I live in Blandon with my family. I love animals, Pokémon, dinosaurs, and video games. I would like to be a famous artist someday and spread creativity around the world.
“The Jungle Beast”
pencil & marker
I am alone, but there are a lot of eyes watching me. Watching my behavior which I have difficulty controlling. There are people all around me, but I am still alone.
“Pokémon Train Station”
marker
Every Pokémon looks different, acts different and has different special powers. They are all trying to go somewhere, and they only see each other as individuals until they start to compete.
Brent Brown
Brent calls his art “the joy of his life”. He has used his art in his mental health recovery since he was a child. Lack of oxygen at birth and time has led to mental health challenges. A high school teacher taught Brent how to use clay, stained glass, and other materials. Over time he took to using cardboard and paper and creating puppet-like creations. Brent is very happy and inspired by the support and compliments he receives.
“The Awesome Hulk”
cardboard & paint
I am encouraged by the strength of the Hulk. I like to protect myself like the Hulk does when people treat me bad. I do not like when people put me down and it makes it hard for me to do things.
“Frankenstein Monster”
cardboard & paint
I like how Frankenstein comes to life from nothing. I feel helpless sometimes but believe I can come alive.
Casey Schmehl
I am Casey Schmehl, a 22-year-old woman from Sinking Spring, PA. I was born with Down Syndrome on January 16, 1998, in Reading, PA. When I was younger, I tried sports like baseball and soccer, but I decided that my passion was visual and performing arts. So, many years ago I focused on my ABILITIES to strive to achieve my goals and dreams. The following is a list of my favorite things to do theatre, piano, voice, dance, painting, drawings, fitness, and journaling.
My interest in the arts began in middle school and high school where I participated in concert choir, various art classes and theater club. I participated in an ensemble in several theater productions. After graduation in 2016, I have continued to take lessons in all categories and I am very excited to see where my journey takes me. The various places where I studied are:
The Warehouse Studio, Reading, PA
Cavod Performing Arts Academy, New Holland, PA
Goggleworks Center for the Arts, Reading, PA
Art of Recycle, Ephrata, PA
Wilson High School, West Lawn, PA
Private Piano and Voice Lessons
In addition to art related activities listed above, I also participate in fitness classes two nights per week at the IM ABLE Foundation in Wyomissing, PA.
“Once Upon an Apple”
oil paint
After returning to art school in the fall of 2020, I chose to paint my first still life painting. I chose to paint a still life because I had never painted one before.
“Pretty in Pink”
watercolor
This beautiful pink flamingo is my most recent watercolor painting since I left high school in 2013. Painting the flamingo in watercolor was a good opportunity to learn something new.
“My Dog “Cousin” Duke the Great Dane”
pencil
Since I like dogs very much, I decided to draw an image of a Great Dane. My cousins had Great Danes, one was Maverick and the other one’s name was Duke.
Caitlin Wasson
I’ve had many medical and mental health disabilities since a young age. Art has been a great way to express myself and a great way to keep myself occupied and distracted when my symptoms are increased.
“Recovery Takes Time”
acrylic
Charles Fick Jr.
I am self-taught and my art is all freehand. I started with photography from my dad and then art from my uncle. I was never trained in photography nor art, but I do all original of my own work freehand. I like art. It gives me self-confidence and pride to know what I can do with art. I was introduced to it growing up, I then did it on my own, eventually.
“Little Kenny”
acrylic
This painting is about the fun I had when I was a child. My cousin Kenny and I used to spend time (fun times) together when we were little kids. It’s all found memories, I could laugh (remembering).
“The Freedom of Time”
acrylic
This is an art piece which to me includes time. I have felt like a prisoner at different times in my life and this painting means the freedom of time (everywhere).
“Hot Out There”
acrylic
This is a painting of a hot summer’s day gardening at my Aunt Suzie’s house. Hard work and intense heat.
Jessica Keogh
Jessica Keogh, M. Ed. resides in West Chester, PA where she teaches students who have difficulty regulating their emotions. Being born with a yet to be diagnosed type of Muscular Dystrophy, Jessica has dedicated her life to educating, advocating, and empowering people with disabilities (and those without) so they can live their most empowered lives! Jessica has done this through the way she lives, teaches, and advocates for meaningful policy change for people with disabilities. She is currently pursuing her doctorate in educational policy, leadership, and administration. Jessica’s research surrounds critical disability studies and representation in curriculum. Once she earns her EDD, she will write policies and curriculum that help all children.
“A Horizon of Hope”
photograph
As a person with a disability, having hope in a society that is often not accessible, can be challenging. Looking at the sky provides hope for more inclusive days ahead.
“Joy In the Journey”
photograph
As a person with a physical disability, it has been challenging to find a way to exercise. The PA Adaptive Sports Center has provided me with a way to access an enjoyable way to exercise.
LornaBeth Shantz
I was diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus as a young mother. As a result, I shifted from a career as a teacher to office work for a non-profit organization and eventually to work as a Spiritual Director, and finally to retirement. Over the years, I explored other career paths. In a required art studio class, in which I expected to struggle, I learned I could draw. Today, years later, I have added multiple diagnoses, including fibromyalgia, migraine, and chronic kidney disease. Currently, I use my art as a spiritual discipline to find and share the beauty that life continues to offer.
“Wall Flower”
watercolor
I admire the weed that springs up from a hole in the sidewalk and the flower that finds a way to thrive on a wall. Despite hard surfaces and less than ideal conditions they are determined not only to live but also to bloom. Sometimes the circumstances of disability bring differences that resemble hard, unfertile surfaces. Nevertheless, I hope to find a way to thrive and bloom.
“Purple Serendipity”
watercolor
I use porcelain dishes to mix my pigments and to get the right amount of water for the washes I need. Varying amounts of paint remain on the palette when I am finished. After several paintings my palette is full of leftovers. This painting was an exercise in working spontaneously with that leftover paint. In life, we sometimes must take what we’re given and get creative.
“Scarlet Perspective”
watercolor and ink
How you look at things is fundamental to a painting’s perspective as well as to living a life. Looking at things from a different angle can reveal a completely different picture. In this painting, I looked at my subject from an unusual angle and found a different energy. Tulips faced straight on can look like soldiers marching in a row. From the top down they looked wild and free. Rather than grumbling about life, I want to choose a perspective of gratitude.
Meaghan Xenia Alexandra “Alex” Torres
My name is Meaghan Xenia Alexandra “Alex” Torres. I am 25 years old. I am a Christian, and I am autistic. I am studying to be a writer and artist and recently graduated from Reading Area Community College and will be transferring to Kutztown University this fall. I am deeply excited for this transition as I am continually growing as an artist and expanding my skills. I thank God, my family, my friends, and my special needs instructors who have been patient, kind, and understanding towards my disability and seen it not as a burden but as a gift for the world to acknowledge.
“An Abstract Mind”
acrylic
This piece, for me, is a symbolization of the visual look in the mind of a person with autism. I believe that many people on the spectrum have an abstract mind which are unique, ever changing, and unfamiliar like abstract art itself.
“Who I Am & What I Love”
acrylic & ink
Although my autism is a huge part of my life, it is not the only thing in my life that makes me who I am and what I love. This piece greatly describes that as it shows the colorful abstracted pieces in the background representing my disability and the four items that appear symbolize the other important things in my life that I love and shape me who I am then and now.
Nicolette Kutzler
Nicky loves art and expressing herself through creativity and color. Nicky has had mental health challenges and had a very difficult childhood. Art was her opportunity for peace and purpose. More importantly, she feels alive. Nicky enjoys immersing herself and channeling all her emotions into her creative expression.
“Water Dragon Playing with Seahorse”
markers on canvas
This piece represents my freedom and playing with my friends. It conveys the message of my need and desire of a strong network.
“Beauty and Confidence”
markers on canvas
The creation tells the world I see my beauty even if many others do not. The horse speaks to how I see my life with confidence even at my advanced years. I still have life to live and plenty of light in my mind full of darkness.
“Bird Flying to Freedom”
markers on canvas
This piece represents my need to soar despite being counted out and people doubting me. I have daunting challenges, but I find creative ways to rise above like a majestic bird.
Richard Gardner
Until a few years ago I had no clue that I would be able to do this type of art. We asked someone to paint a mural for us to make a wall less ugly. He did not show. I then did my first mural, a sunrise sunburst on a white background. We now have nine murals of up to 400 square feet on inside and outside walls. Since that time, I have done paintings and mixed media art as small as 4 square inches.
“Candle”
mixed media of acrylic paint with glow in the dark and washers on a bamboo cutting board
Being Bipolar 2 has many liabilities, but also many gifts. As a (mad) scientist in the field of ecology I am constantly looking for unique patterns to help me understand the world. It is what drives my art. Using a base of glow-in-the dark paint produces different effects when viewed in normal light and at night. I usually prefer the night version.
“Snake”
mixed media of black acrylic paint on a plank with toothed washers
I love herpetology. This is one in a series of snakes created with mixed media. (The two predecessors are too large to submit.) As an ecologist gifted with Bipolar 2, I enjoy expressing what I see in unique ways.
“Oak Tree with Clouds”
mixed media of acrylic paint with glow in the dark overlay and washers
This is one way of how I see an oak tree in my mind. Biology is wonderfully diverse. I use being Bipolar 2 to recognize and interpret the patterns in biology. Since I am okay with realistic art I do primarily abstract art, which appears to be a strength.
Rickey Joachin
Rickey was born in Brooklyn, NY. He has been living in Reading with his family since 2000. He is diagnosed with Autism. In his free time, he enjoys reading comic books, watching videos, playing on the computer, and spending time with his family. This is Rickey’s second time entering this art show and he is very excited about it.
“Family Crew”
acrylic paint & canvas
This piece of artwork is based off Rickey wanting to draw a picture of his family. The picture portrays Rickey, his brother, his mother, and father, his two sisters and his grandmother.
Sindel Strohecker
I am 25 years old, and I have an intellectual disability. An intellectual disability is when I cannot remember things as well as others because my mind runs slower than others. I loved making art when I was in pre-school; it relaxes me and gets my mind thinking about what to make. I also love to play video games, read books and perler bead art. I like spending time with my family and friends. I am laid back, fun, kind and sometimes funny.
“Birdhouse”
wood & paint
This birdhouse art piece that I made by hand with some help when I was at school. I cannot remember what I sprayed it with after I painted it. It was hard to make but I made it. The reason I cannot remember is because I have an intellectual disability.
“Dreaming About Going to Disney World”
paint
I always loved going to Disney World. With my intellectual disability I somehow get really worked up about certain rides and I do not notice that I am getting worked up about rides. Once I get on rides sometimes, I remember it.
Zul Ortega
I am 34 years old, and I reside in the Reading, PA area. I have been in a program with InVision Human Services for 14 years and I love it here because I get individualized support that works for my needs. I love drawing, singing, dancing, and helping in the community. I am bilingual, speaking both English and Spanish.
I am currently volunteering at Helping Harvest Food Bank where I work in the warehouse, out with the mobile sorting unit or handing out food. I have also recently started working part-time in a retail store.
In my earlier years, I lived with my grandmother who brought me to church. As I moved from one foster home to another, I developed a love for drawing as a coping mechanism. Almost always, my inspiration is from my Christian faith where I developed a love for ‘Angels’ and the concept of ‘Good vs. Evil’. Based on this, my drawings mostly depict angel wings, crosses, and birds.
“Angels Are No Fair”
The Lord died on this day. I pray upon his daily gaze. The Lord is our bread and wine, so we speak. He died for our safety, for you and me. Even though we are sinners and have sinned against the Lord, he kept our souls saved. The love we share and care about is because of him. The Lord shares the cross and we share our every minute. The love is our given and we have it to inhabit it. The time is our crying, and we must nurture our feelings to grow all our life. For the Lord to forgive us, it’s within us that sadness. AMEN.
May the roses grow out not from within, so we will not get poked by our sins.
God bless you. Lord be with us. Angels are no fair.
“Bond . . .”
The cross is a story where we call it a bond, when the ribbons are tied, and we share a love. It is when two rings are connected, and your heart shines a light. It is when halos connect and are shown out in sight. When someone looks at you and you show them an attentive eye. At the end, you are connected, and it is a bond for life. No angels are no fare/fair.
“The Lord is Our King”
In sense we bow down to him and lean. We talk to him about our prayers. We sing about gospel and fair sense that I acquit to see how he cares, even when we are angels singing out loud, he is there. He our Lord, indeed, he will take care whoever is in need. In the air may he spread his melody in good angels, good angels yeah. Angels are not fair.
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