Charlotte Art League Gallery features art by students with disabilities
The Charlotte Art League (CAL) kicked off its fifth annual âColor My Dreamsâ exhibit on Friday, March 2 with an evening reception honoring local artists who are part of the Employment Skills Training program at Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont. The artists, many of whom face intellectual, physical or mental disabling conditions, have spent months creating more than 70 pieces of art that will be displayed and available for purchase, including drawings, paintings and mosaics.
The art will be displayed at the Charlotte Art League Gallery, 1517 Camden Road, through the month of March, with proceeds directly benefiting the artists.
âOur students look forward to this show every year,â said Diane Weekley, director of vocational services for Goodwill. âExploring art helps these students build confidence and life skills that will help them in their future jobs and in becoming independent.â
CAL volunteers have spent countless hours teaching art methods to Goodwillâs participants and helping develop and reinforce their confidence and self-management skills. Funding for the program is provided in part by a cultural arts project grant from the Arts & Science Council. Goodwill’s Employment Skills Training program provides 12 to 18 months of job skills training to help individuals gain and keep competitive employment. Students range in age from 19 to 60.
The Charlotte Art League is a nonprofit adult arts organization dedicated to promoting the visual arts experience and fostering emerging fine and commercial artists through community exposure, networking, education and interaction with fellow artists. The show will also include works by people with developmental disabilities who work with Goodwill partner UMAR. March is National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month.
If you would like to attend (March 2 through March 31): The exhibit is open Tuesday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 to 8 p.m.; Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m.
Call 704-376-2787 for more information, or visit www.charlotteartleague.org.
