Inclusion Daily Express -- 'Outsider' Artists Thrive At Institute

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'Outsider' Artists Thrive At Institute
December 8, 2005

RICHMOND, CALIFORNIA--The following five paragraphs are excerpts from a story in Wednesday's San Francisco Chronicle:

The center is called the National Institute of Art & Disabilities.

Outside, the look is light industrial. Inside, visitors are greeted by color everywhere -- wild, vibrant, unabashed tones splashed across paintings, quilts, sculptures, prints, weavings, scarves, jewelry and more.

The 57 client-artists are an equally vivid mix. They range in age from 21 to 84 -- the eldest was institutionalized at Napa State Hospital for 50 years. Five are mentally ill. The rest have been diagnosed with autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, mental retardation, seizure disorders and other afflictions.

"Our philosophy is that everybody has the possibility of being an artist, of being creative," said Patricia Coleman, the center's executive director. "More than teaching in the traditional way, we step back and look at the process."

"People flourish -- there's a particular moment when that process actually works. It happens. It can be one week or one year or longer. They find their medium and the content of their work."

Entire article:
"Disabled artists' inspiration flows in full color at center" (San Francisco Chronicle)
http://www.inclusiondaily.com/news/05/red/1208c.htm
Related:
National Institute of Art & Disabilities
http://www.niadart.org

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