Work of Nick Morse, An Artist with Autism; On Exhibit at Precinct

UPDATED AT 4:52 p.m. 

The art of Nick Morse is vibrant and abstract, featuring bright colors and unpredictable lines. He works in acrylic, Cray Pas and tempera. He prefers fabric, canvas or paper, and produces pieces on large and small scales. And all of this can be seen on exhibit at , in Union Square, through the month of December. 

"I think that his signature is the vibrant use of color and very unusual--kind of, abstract lines that somehow have a kind of symmetry of their own," said Steve Morse, Nick's father and former Boston Globe music critic. "He's got his own creative voice." 

That voice is a very important one for Nick, who is on the "autistic spectrum" and has a slew of other different learning abilities and diagnoses. Mr. Morse said that Nick is only verbal to a point, but offers grins and the simple, yet powerful response of, "Daddy, I'm a good artist," when asked to explain the meaning and inspiration behind his work. 

It has only been over the last few years that Nick has "gotten excited by art," said Mr. Morse. "But it's been a terrific outlet for him." He is currently a student at the Outside the Lines Studio, an arts-based day program for the physically and developmentally disabled in Medford, and got his start with art while at the Cardinal Cushing Center in Hanover. 

"Art has given him a chance to focus and really build his self-esteem and he's sold some of his art. So he calls himself a professional artist now, which is a big thrill for him. So it's just been a terrific development," said Mr. Morse.

At 22, Nick, despite his diagnosis, already has a list of artistic accomplishments to his credit. He's shown at ZuZu's in Central Square, and at the Cambridge Arts Council. He's also sold one of his designs to the TJX Companies for a home-decor line, and helped to fundraise for the Cardinal Cushing Center and for various Autism programs around the state. 

"Words can't express my joy," said Mr. Morse. "I really feel blessed that he has found something that he likes." 

For Nick, life hasn't been easy. His father said he never found his way through traditional school subjects, and had an array of behavioral problems as a child. He also lost his mother from diabetes nine years ago. 

"When he was young, he had a lot of problems, temper tantrums and just really scary stuff at times. But now, he's been able to gain a lot of self-control, gain a passion for his art, and I just couldn't be happier for him," said Mr. Morse. 

The exhibition kicks off tonight, Wednesday Dec. 15, with an Artist Reception at 6 p.m. For more information, please see our events listing . You can also find his work for sale locally at It's A Gift at the  

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Also tonight at Precinct, D.J. Voltran spins a silent disco. Don a pair of headphones and dance to the beat. Intrigued? See our event listings .