A group of Queens artists with disabilities will host a group exhibition of mixed media works on Sunday, Nov. 6, in Sunnyside.
The showcase, titled Beyond Limitations, will be held from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. at Young Israel of Sunnyside, located at 43-01 46th St. It is spearheaded by two parents of adults with disabilities, Betty-Ann Hogan and Howard Brickman, in partnership with AHRC New York. Both of their children attend AHRC New York City’s Weingold Adult Day Services in Queens.
“It’s no different in my mind than giving any other community artists exposure,” Hogan says. “They may have deficits in other areas, but in this area, they don’t.”
“It’s great to see our dream turn into a reality,” Brickman said. “I’m excited for the artists, the agency and the parents getting behind this and we’re hoping to get the neighborhood to come out and support our artists.”
The exhibit focuses on bringing the Queens community together by sharing creativity, joy and passion for art. Its main mission is to promote interactions and projects focused on care and connection.
The showcase will feature works by eight Queens artists with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD): Sydney Buford, Kevin Caamano, Adam Felderman, Rudy Hurtarte, Sharon Jackson Gilbert “Junior” Laury, Shi Shuo Wang and Jose Zambrano. The works will be available for sale.
Adam Felderman, Hogan’s son, will display three pieces. One of them, “Elephants Belong in the Jungle,” is based on a show he watched about poachers killing elephants for their tusks.
“I want to see people looking at my art and I want to see my artwork sold,” he said.
Forest Hills resident Sydney Buford began creating art during the pandemic with virtual support from ArTech. She paints, sketches, embroiders, and recently started weaving. Her art has been exhibited at the MET.
Rudy Hurtarte, a Woodside resident, will make his debut at Beyond Limitations.
“Art makes me feel happy. I’m an artist and that’s why I draw,” he said, adding he hopes to sell his art at the show.
AHRC New York City is the largest organization supporting children and adults with I/DD in New York state. Its mission is to advocate for people who are neurodiverse to lead full and equitable lives. Its vision is to help create a socially just world where the power of difference is embraced, valued, and celebrated.
AHRC NYC was founded by parents of children with disabilities more than 70 years ago, when support and services were unavailable to meet their children’s needs.
