By Alex Costello
What sets this gallery apart from others, however, is the artists - members of AHRC Nassau - and what the rest of the facility is used for.
"As far as I know, this is the only sanctioned rehabilitation center that is an art gallery in Nassau County," said Patrick Sherrad, assistant director of the facility. Every artist at the facility has an intellectual or developmental disability.
AHRC Nassau is a not-for-profit organization that aides those with developmental disabilities to lead more independent and fulfilling lives.
"We promote independence and help them integrate with the community," said Terrance Cooper, site coordinator. "We help them do things that we take for granted."
Along with helping with everyday tasks, the staff also helps the members of the facility develop and enhance their artistic abilities.
"All of the staff are accomplished artists in their own right," Cooper said. They are talented in culinary arts, music and crafts. The facility also has crocheting and knitting specialists who come in and work with members. And they are more than willing to share their knowledge with the site members. For many of the staff members, their hard work pays off in the development of the members.
"We've seen such growth in them," Sherrad said. "They're really doing what they want to do."
Member John Basile did a colored pencil piece of a hummingbird hovering at a flower. With help and coaching from staff, he was able to do the piece again in paint. And the confidence he built in his artwork has passed into his social life, too.
"John's a really shy guy," Sherrad said, right after Basile finished proudly showing off his art and talking up a storm.
"We do hand-over-hand work when necessary, or just give them constant prompting," said Cooper. The staff shows members work from different artists to imitate and personalize.
To showcase the work that the members of the facility have been doing, they are holding an art show from June 30 until July 11. It is open to the public Monday through Friday from 10:30 a.m. until 12 p.m. and from 1:00 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. The works will be on sale, and all of the proceeds will be going to the artists.
"The community support has been great," Sherrad said. The members' work has been showcased all over the area, including Iannuzzi, a restaurant in the same shopping center as the AHRC, and the Advantage Care Clinic in Brookville.
The emphasis on art as a means of therapy and expressions has made the East Meadow site a very popular place. "This is a site where people want to come in," Sherrad said. "We have an extensive waiting list." As of now, the facility has 28 members, and they are all busy. Some work alone, some color pictures, some paint with the help of staff, and others work on a staff-supervised mural in the back of the building.
"We wanted one wall dedicated to them," Cooper said. "It puts a stamp on the building."
The members of the site jumped at the chance to show off their work.
"All of them have a strong passion for art," Sherrad said. "Everyone here has an ability to follow his passion."
