Y.A.L.E. School Partners with Michael Polimeni Foundation for Tri-State Ability Art Show

Cherry Hill, N.J. – A new partnership between Y.A.L.E. School and the Michael Polimeni Foundation elevated the Tri-State Ability Art Show, now in its sixth year. The Foundation, which preserves the legacy of Brooklyn-based pop-culture artist Michael “BÄST” Polimeni and expands access to art opportunities for children and young adults with disabilities, inspired the theme for this year’s Art Show, “Metropolis.”

The annual Art Show provides an opportunity for students with disabilities from across greater Philadelphia to showcase their original artwork, including paintings, sculptures, mixed media displays and more. Among the artwork displayed this year was a large-scale collaborative piece called “City of Imagination,” created by the students of Y.A.L.E. School and inspired by BÄST’s love for urban settings and signature street art.

“The Tri-State Ability Art Show continues to grow in both scale and impact, becoming a highlight we look forward to each year,” said Karen Donnelly, art teacher at Y.A.L.E. School and Art Show organizer. “It’s incredible to see how it encourages creativity and brings students from across the region back year after year, each time with new ideas, new confidence and new ways of expressing themselves.”

Overall, the Art Show featured 350 works of art created by students from 29 public and private schools across New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware. Participating artists included those with autism spectrum disorders, emotional and behavioral disabilities, as well as students with visual and/or hearing impairments. Nearly 300 guests visited the gallery over its two-day engagement.

Students could elect to have their artwork evaluated and judged by Art Show partners Mural Arts Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Art Education Association, Art Educators of New Jersey, Perkins Center for the Arts, Arts Ed NJ and the Michael Polimeni Foundation. A new juried category was created in Michael’s name, The Michael Polimeni Award for Artistic Excellence, which honored a student whose work embodies creativity, originality or boldness, in the spirit of the late artist’s style.

“Partnering with Y.A.L.E. School has allowed us to honor Michael’s legacy through his love of art and his belief in its power to support and uplift individuals with disabilities,” said Vanessa DiVisconti, founder of the Michael Polimeni Foundation, honoring her late husband, Michael Polimeni. “He always believed that art rooted in one’s own originality was the best art. The self-expression and talent on display at the Art Show capture that spirit so beautifully. He would have loved this event and to see all the wonderful masterpieces from young artists.”

“The Art Show is more than an event, it’s a celebration of growth, confidence and self-expression,” added Donnelly. “Every year we’re reminded of just how much talent exists within these students, and how important it is to provide opportunities for their voices to be seen and celebrated.”

To see and download additional photos from the Art Show, visit:https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/g7aa1z1f0uifn2ttkragv/AKasmvFRTdBMt_1AIjbrdXk?rlkey=atkd276u5h53zdjg0gu6ycns4&st=mla48yhq&dl=0

About Y.A.L.E. School NJ
Y.A.L.E. School is a New Jersey state-approved private special education school with 12 campus locations throughout southern New Jersey and the greater Philadelphia region serving students with disabilities ages 3 through 21. Y.A.L.E. School offers a highly specialized program for students with autism and other social, emotional, learning, and behavioral disabilities that provides low student-to-staff ratios, supervision by highly-trained and certified behavior specialists, a comprehensive curriculum, intensive transition support, integrated and consultative speech services, support for families, and an extended school year program in the summer. Since 1976, students with disabilities have been placed at Y.A.L.E. School locations by their local school district and attend at no cost to parents. For more information, go to www.yaleschoolnj.com.

About The Michael Polimeni Foundation
The Michael Polimeni Foundation is dedicated to preserving the artistic legacy of Michael “BÄST” Polimeni while advancing access to creative expression for children and young adults with developmental, physical and neurological challenges. The Foundation supports programs that use art as a tool for communication, confidence and emotional connection, particularly for individuals who may not easily express themselves through traditional means. Through partnerships with schools, therapeutic programs and community organizations, the Foundation seeks to create opportunities for meaningful engagement with art, not as a measure of performance or accomplishment but as a space encouraging exploration, imagination and self-expression. By connecting contemporary art with educational and therapeutic environments, the Foundation aims to foster inclusion, curiosity and dignity through the creative process. For more information, go to https://bastny.com/.