Artwork by people with developmental disabilities shines in airport exhibit

If there is evidence that each of us, in our mind’s eye, has a unique and valuable take on the world, it hangs on walls of UW–Madison’s Waisman Center.

There, the Harvey A. Stevens International Collection of Art by People with Developmental Disabilities is a graphic reminder that artistic expression (and talent) can be viewed through many prisms.

Now through Jan. 9, 2011, selected works from that collection, begun in 1976 by a long-time champion of people with disabilities and maintained by the Friends of the Waisman Center, can be viewed at the Dane County Regional Airport.

The exhibit, organized by Tandem Press, features 65 artworks in different media from many parts of the world: “The art is by people of all ages with various developmental disabilities,” says Pat Mitchell, assistant director of the Waisman Center. “For most of the artwork, we only know the name of the work, its country of origin, date of creation, and perhaps a few details about the artist. Sometimes, but not always, we know what the disability of the artist is.”

A distinguishing feature of the 150-piece collection, according to Waisman Center Director Marsha Mailick Seltzer, is not only its international flavor, but also the fact it has been developed over several decades.

“There are other collections of art by people with various types of disabilities, but this collection is unique because it is international and because it has been developed over more than 30 years,” notes Seltzer. “A few of the artists are from Wisconsin, but most are from Europe, Asia and elsewhere in the U.S.”

Paula Panczenko, executive director of Tandem Press, notes that the collection showcases art “created by people with exceptional abilities. Creativity is a mysterious and amazing gift, and the range of artwork in this exhibit is awe-inspiring.”

Local artists whose work will be featured at the airport exhibit include Robert Hanneman and Phillip H. Porter. Porter, whose great grandfather was the supervising architect of the State Capitol and many other notable Madison buildings, depicts some of these prominent structures in his work.

The artwork, explains Seltzer, is a channel through which we can gain perspective on the world through the eyes of people with disabilities: “People make art based on their experiences,” she says. “The diverse scenes, topics and landscapes depicted in the Waisman Center art collection reflect the circumstances of their lives.”

The exhibit, which is free and open to the public, will be in the art court on the first level of the Dane County Regional Airport. There is an opening reception on Thursday, July 22 from 5-7 p.m., also free and open to the public.