Two Local Arts Organizations Continue to Turn Passion into a Profession for Artists with Disabilities

PEAPACK, NJ, January 5 2017 – Two forward-thinking NJ non-profits, the Matheny Arts Access Program and Arts Unbound, are proud to announce the start of the second season of Art Garden CSA (Community Supported Art). Both organizations support and serve artists with disabilities, and have collaborated to bring this unique project to reality. The innovative Art Garden connects these artists with the local community, and works to further the professional art careers of the talented artists who participate.

Art CSAs are based on the traditional agriculture CSA model, in which a farmer offers a certain number of shares to the public. The shareholder receives a box of seasonal produce at pickup events throughout the year.

Substitute “art” for “agriculture” and you have an art CSA, with shareholders receiving original artwork instead of farm produce. The Art Garden CSA is unique in that it is the only CSA which serves and supports artists with disabilities, enabling them to cultivate relationships with art buyers, whose purchases help support and sustain their careers.

“Our Art Garden CSA will help local artists with disabilities launch their professional careers with the hope that they could become self-supporting through the sale of their art,” said Celene Ryan, Director of Artist Development at Arts Unbound. “It’s a powerful dynamic because when the buyers meet the artists and receive their artwork, it dispels any misperceptions about the range, sophistication and quality of art created by people with disabilities.”

Following a successful, sold out first season, ten new local artists with disabilities have been selected and will receive a stipend of $2,000 to create 50 pieces of original or limited edition fine art for the Art Garden. Last year, the work ranged from paintings, jewelry, wearable art, and photography. This year’s group of artists promises to deliver equally exciting, innovative work to their shareholder community. The “community” is made up of any individual or group that purchases one of the 50 available shares.

“This program puts us at the forefront of an entirely new way of connecting artists with patrons and making original art accessible to first-time buyers. What makes Art Garden CSA so special though, is that not only are you buying outstanding art, every share purchased helps a talented artist with a disability move one step closer towards making a living as a professional artist. Your purchase also goes towards providing training to help our artists develop the entrepreneurial skills, like building a website, promoting their art and nurturing relationships, that will help them succeed in their careers.”” ###a>said Eileen Murray, Director of the Arts Access Program, Matheny Medical and Educational Center.

Year one artist Cindy Shanks said, "I was excited and happy to have my work as part of the Art Garden. It meant that people bought my art." The Art Garden CSA team works to help artists like Cindy turn their passion into a profession one share at a time.

Art Garden CSA is made possible by a generous Community Employment Grant from the Kessler Foundation.

For more information about the Art Garden and to purchase shares, please visit the website at artgardencsa.org.

For more information, contact Heather Williams, Performing Arts Coordinator, Arts Access Program At Matheny, at heather@artsaccessprogram.org or call 908-234-0011 x412.Arts Unbound is a 501 c(3) non-profit organization dedicated to the artistic achievement of people living with disabilities and seniors. They provide visual arts education and professional development to help emerging artists compete on the retail market.

Arts Unbound works with learning and emerging artists with disabilities and seniors through the two core programs, visual arts education and artist development. By promoting the work of artists with disabilities and seniors, Arts Unbound centers on their art-making rather than any impairments, and by doing so, challenges the stigma associated with disability and aging. www.artsunbound.org

Matheny Medical and Educational Center’s Arts Access Program empowers individuals with disabilities to create art without boundaries. Through the use of innovative systems and techniques, participants can fully participate in the visual, performing and literary arts. Regardless of their disability, clients are provided with the tools and materials needed to take full creative control over their artistic journey.

Arts Access provides clients with a nurturing environment for expression; a chance to interact with other artists; and an opportunity for performance and exhibition. The Arts Access program is a vehicle through which disabled individuals can have their ideas, imagination and creativity come to life. www.artsaccessprogram.org