An Opening for Artists with Disabilities

August 21, 2009

Assembly Member Kellner with artist, Octavia Lanford.

On a beautiful August Thursday, I had the honor of serving as Master of Ceremonies at a ground-breaking art opening at the Roosevelt Island Visual Art Association Gallery (RIVAA), as over 80 stunning works of art created by artists with cerebral palsy went on display. The dozens of artists were joined by family members, friends, and supporters. As someone with cerebral palsy myself, this was an especially proud occasion for me.

I am proud to have helped make this exhibition a reality. For the last year, thanks to the Cerebral Palsy Associations of New York State, I have been privileged to display in my office works by three of the artists who are now represented at RIVAA (as I reported in a post last August). Earlier this year, I suggested that the RIVAA Gallery would be the ideal place to stage a broader exhibition featuring pieces by artists with disabilities. Roosevelt Island is a community designed to be inclusive of people with disabilities, and RIVAA is one of the island’s prime cultural treasures — so the show and the location were a natural fit.

Cerebral Palsy Associations of New York State Metro Services, United Cerebral Palsy of New York City, and Queens Centers for Progress worked together to produce the exhibition, which features a diverse and colorful collection of paintings, photographs, and sculptures on subjects including nature, life in New York City, and the artists themselves.

Thanks are due to CP of NYS, UCP, and QCP, as well as to RIVAA, for bringing us this wonderful show. The exhibition runs until September 7, and I strongly encourage you to stop by and check it out, whether or not you live on Roosevelt Island. The gallery is at 527 Main Street.

Below, is a poster produced by CP of NYS that is a collage of images from the opening night.

Written by Micah · Filed Under Blogroll, Community, Events, Roosevelt Island | 1 Comment

Funding Playground Associates for Our Community Parks

August 3, 2009

Manhattan Borough Parks Commissioner William Castro, Assistant Commissioner Ed Lewis, myself, and several Parks Department playground associates were in Carl Schurz Park last week observing the playground associates program that I funded in this, and two other, community parks.

Since first being elected to the Assembly, I have worked each year to secure funds for the NYC Parks and Recreation Playground Associates programs at Carl Schurz Park, John Jay Park, and St. Catherine’s Park. The Playground Associates program provides each park with a staff member on a seasonal basis. Having staff in our parks and playgrounds enhances cleanliness and safety, ensuring that these special places continue to be safe havens for children and families. The playground associates also organize fun activities for neighborhood children likes sports, games, arts and crafts, and walking trips.