ICL Arts and Activities Counselor Dylan Stanfield helmed the project from its inception and was the driving force behind the results. This internationally-galleried artist explained that he wanted the experience to be impactful for the artists. “This was a joyous collaboration. There’s something amazing that happens with these artists when they have the opportunity to paint without restrictions on subject matter and boundaries of canvas size. The artists have captured the energy and vitality that too often are not associated with this population.”
During her remarks, Stella Pappas, ICL Chief Operating Officer, shared that “Art is a powerful communicator and can speak for us even when words are ineffective. We are incredibly proud of the achievements of the eight ICL artists who worked collaboratively to create the resulting remarkable and complex mural.” She continued, “These men and women have intellectual or developmental disabilities, some of whom are also visually challenged, yet the barriers they may face in their daily lives disappear when it comes to expressing themselves through art. Their voices, through this artwork, reach us and touch our common spirit of love, joy and inspiration.”
The mural acts, in many ways, as an anti-stigma reminder that the abilities of people with I/DD should not be under-estimated. Commissioner Burke elaborates, “Art can allow a person with disabilities to lead an extraordinary life. The sheer power of their work can provide a person with a positive sense of self, while also helping to break down, within their community, negative connotations and stereotypes about people with developmental disabilities.”
On the multi-year close partnership between ICL and OPWDD, she explains, “We have a shared mission to support and serve people with developmental disabilities and helping them to live richer lives. We also share the same vision: to help people live their lives to the fullest, which includes promoting their abilities. This mural is evidence of this shared vision.”
About the Artists
The mural, backed by the personalities and talents of the artists, is myth-busting. Too many times the disability becomes the definition, but these eight are leading by example that they can do just about anything. Information about Diane B., Lisa K., Millie D., Javon P., James W., Crystal L., Karen S. and Joseph D. can be shared upon request.
Mr. Stanfield, a New York-based artist who grew up in Hawaii, has created public murals and murals for private residences and recently had a solo exhibition in Austria.
Representatives from ICL and OPWDD stand with artists.
From left, back row: Janet Zampella OPWDD Dep. Dir., OPWDD Assoc. Commissioner Jill Gentile, Museum Education Consultant Maribeth Flynn, ICL SVP Nobella Parham, ICL artist Javon P., ICL Arts and Activities Coordinator Dylan Stanfield, ICL COO Stella Pappas, ICL artist James W., ICL Bd of Dir. Chairperson Barbara Sass and OPWDD Commissioner Courtney Burke
From left, front row: ICL artists Millie D., Crystal L., Karen S., Lisa K. and Diane B.
The Collaborative Creative Process
The mural is composed of layers of imagery and figures and speaks eloquently to the collaboration it represents. First, three ICL Joselow House artists who have I/DD and are visually impaired were given free reign of painting on what felt like a limitless canvas. They worked on the inner staircase’s top landing of the residential townhouse on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, painting under the natural light from the overhead skylight. The panels were then brought to ICL Pacific Street in Brooklyn to be completed by five more artists with I/DD. The project was initiated in 2010, and final touches are currently being added.
Regarding the actual process, Dylan shares, “Once the panels were completely filled with artwork, I had five of the artists stand in front of the mural and traced their shadow outlines. I then applied a translucent wash leaving their silhouettes uncovered so that their original artwork could still be seen. Use of their shadows was a way to elevate the mural from simply a painting to a form of self-portrait.”
The result is a joyful and uplifting painting that captivates viewers from the onset. Most importantly, the work engages the viewer to look beyond the surface of the artwork and beyond the disabilities of the artist.
After first being on location at ICL Joselow House in Manhattan,
the mural was then transported to a Brooklyn residence where the artists
worked on it outdoors.
ICL artist James W. stands against the mural as he waits for
ICL Arts and Activities Counselor Dylan Stanfield to trace his silhouette.
This close-up shows Jame’s sillouette. It is one of five
that appear on the mural – each of which are of artists
residing in ICL Pacific Street Residence in Brooklyn.
Dylan and his team of ICL artists have a multi-year experience in creating art to share with the public. In fact, the mural is an evolution of the large paper works that were first viewed at the Brooklyn Museum.
This summer (2012), the artists will have their seventh exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum. The Arts Enhancement Project, a collaborative effort between the Museum and ICL, began 12 years ago as a way to bring ICL clients into their communities, as well as bringing a unique experience back into their homes through the arts. Throughout the year, ICL residents attend monthly trips to the Brooklyn Museum for guided tours that focus on specific themes inspired by the museum’s special exhibits and its permanent collection. The exhibitions are a testament to the abilities of the artists, Brooklyn Museum’s community spirit and ICL’s commitment to quality of life issues, as well as ICL’s ongoing efforts to of raise awareness to the needs of the intellectual and/or developmental disabilities population.