Creative Life on the Spectrum
to
Overture Center-Playhouse Gallery 201 State St., Madison, Wisconsin 53703
Jennifer Dahlquist
The work of professional artists who live and work on the autism spectrum will be featured in this one-of-a-kind exhibit. Adult artists with disabilities from ArtWorking, a nonprofit organization devoted to arts therapy, and youth artists from CI Pediatric Therapy Centers and Achieving Collaborative Treatment, will showcase work in a variety of media. The exhibit, which runs through March 1, is being held to support Children’s Theater of Madison’s production of Mockingbird, a play opening in February about a child with autism, with a young actor on the spectrum playing the lead role.
press release: Overture Center’s Playhouse Gallery introduces its winter exhibition: Creative Life on the Spectrum, which showcases visions of the world through the eyes of professional artists with disabilities from ArtWorking as well as youth from CI Pediatric Therapy Center and Achieving Collaborative Treatment. The show runs Friday, Jan. 10 – Sunday, March 1. A reception with the artists will be held at the gallery on Friday, Jan. 17, 6-8 p.m. The exhibition and reception are free and open to the public.
“Creative Life on the Spectrum is a group exhibit featuring artwork by 15 professional artists with autism who collectively work at ArtWorking,” said Laura Falkenberg, ArtWorking’s assistant director. “The exhibit exemplifies the skills, talents and ways in which artists with autism create, explore and process through art making.”
Creative Life on the Spectrum runs in conjunction with Children’s Theater of Madison’s production of Mockingbird, offering six performances, Saturday, Feb. 22 – Sunday, March 1, at The Playhouse.
In Mockingbird, 11-year-old Caitlin is a talented young artist on the autism spectrum. Her older brother Devon always helped Caitlin make sense of the world. He was her best friend. But when a tragic school shooting takes Devon’s life, Caitlin must navigate the world without his guidance. It’s a must-see story about community, healing and the power of resiliency.
“When Children Theater of Madison decided to produce Mockingbird, the idea of an exhibit to celebrate artists with disabilities was born,” said Erica Berman, director of education and community engagement at Children’s Theater of Madison and director of Mockingbird. “Working with the team at ArtWorking and Overture Center was a dream collaboration. I am so excited for audience members to attend Mockingbird and be greeted by beautiful artwork that celebrates the talents and gifts of artists with disabilities in our community.”
Mockingbird is recommended for ages 10 and up. The story features a family and a community recovering from the aftermath of a school shooting, complex communication between characters in difficult circumstances and moments of loss.
NOTE: Thanks to CI Pediatric Therapy Center, sensory kits, including noise reducing headphones, are available at all performances.
Creative Life on the Spectrum features artists from the following organizations:
- ArtWorking is a Madison area nonprofit program that provides career development and mentorship for artists and entrepreneurs with developmental disabilities.
- CI Pediatric Therapy Center is a comprehensive pediatric therapy center with clinic locations throughout the state of Wisconsin, committed to providing a comprehensive support system for individuals with special needs and their families.
- Achieving Collaborative Treatment provides autism behavior therapy to individuals with autism and their families.