HeARTs for Autism
Raising Awareness for the Autism Spectrum Disorders through Art Therapy, Education and Advocacy. HeARTs for Autism® is a grassroots, volunteer, non-profit organization of parents, professionals and artists who are committed and inspired to spread the awareness about the complex and diverse nature of the Autism Spectrum Disorders.
Our mission is to use the Arts as a way to advocate and educate the larger community about the spectrum nature of Autism, and as a therapeutic expression for persons associated with the Autistic Spectrum.
Our family programs support ASD kids, their siblings and parents through creative expression. A variety of methods are used to address the needs of the kids and families. We then use their Art to spread the message about the need for more education and research to solve the puzzling mystery of these disorders and to advocate for better-integrated services for the ADS kids and families.
A very popular component of the program is the Parenting Support. Not only are networking and informational opportunities provided, but also wellness is promoted thought a series of nurturing techniques. Meditation, breathing, healthy living, stress reduction, massage, healing touch modalities and holistic care are some of the offerings available enabling the parents and caregivers to feel greater empowerment and support
In numerous studies, Art for children has proved to be an invaluable form of self-expression. Whether it is simply the developing child who uses the art as a catalyst to communicate the sense of their inner world or to express what they see in their outer world, or the child who uses art to convey deeper emotions such as anger or grief, ART is key for their expression.
For children on the Spectrum, verbal to non-verbal, art can be a way of letting the world know what they are feeling and thinking. Art can facilitate their Sensory Integration needs. Art for families can be a way to work through the stressors and bring them to a greater place of acceptance. Education and Advocacy in the broader community is enhanced through the Art produced and displayed by those impacted by ASD.
Healing Autism….
Takes the efforts of many…
An Integrated, Holistic plan of family, medical, therapeutic, educational, recreational, legal and political persons working well together…
There is no room for ego -no room for profit and liability fears - any room for lies.
Children deserve the Truth…real research, real interventions, real Love…
To be fully accepted and embraced as they are…with the “community” constantly striving towards the knowledge and cures that will lead these young people on the Autism Spectrum towards the rich life of potential we imagined they would have as they were born into our lives and into this world.
Think…Imagine…Believe… How can you be present to those persons affected by ASD… What is it that you can do to help…
HeARTs for Autism, contact information,
The Rev. Robin V Schwoyer, 267-231-7585, Robin@Well-th.com
Dr. Svetlana Gradess, 215-830-8829, punman96@hotmail.com
Veronica Parker, 609-238-7582, vero6979@hotmail.com
www.HeARTsforAutism.org
See April Feature Exhibition for the special events. All proceeds for the sale of artwork done by the HeARTs for Autism group will be given directly to this Non-profit organizaion.
From TIMEOFF Online....
Megan Sullivan, reporter for the "Time Off' section of the Princeton Packet did a wonderful interview/article on the event and the group. Click here Take me to TIMEOFF to go to the Princeton Packet or read below for the copy only.
By Megan Sullivan, Reporter for Time Off
An exhibit at BOI's of New Hope helps raise awareness about autism.
"Why does my head feel this way?" Kevin asked his mother after he finished a finger-painting. In the painting, a side profile of a boy's head was surrounded and filled up by busy swirls of paint. At that moment, it struck Philadelphia resident Robin Schwoyer — art was a means of communicating with her son, who has autism.
Creative expression has proved itself helpful in his treatment of Asperger Syndrome, a high-functioning form of autism. As an ordained Episcopalian minister, Ms. Schwoyer had experience with family and social ministry in her community and had been asked by many parents to consider starting up an autism awareness and education group.
Last year, with the help of Svetlana Gradess and Veronica Parker, Ms. Schwoyer founded HeARTs for Autism, a small North Philadelphia grassroots organization. Now Ms. Schwoyer can help other families communicate with their autistic children through the expression of art, the way she and her children Erika, 6, and Steven, 5, communicate with Kevin.
In celebration of National Autism Awareness Month, BOI's of New Hope Art Gallery has donated its main gallery show room to HeARTs for Autism. Artwork by autistic children, their siblings and parents will be on view April 7-30, as well as pieces by professional artists hoping to raise funds for the group.
Members of HeARTs for Autism had their first art display at Rockledge-Fox Chase Business Association's Clothesline Art Festival in Lions Park in September. The show at BOI's of New Hope, however, will be the first exhibit in a gallery. BOI's Owners Lonn Braender and Bruce Oswald offered the main gallery space to Ms. Schwoyer after learning about her group.
About 75 pieces, most 8-by-10 inches, will hang during the benefit exhibition. Mr. Braender would like to display the small artworks on large cardboard puzzle pieces, which are international symbols signifying the mystery of the disorder. In addition to the works by artists supporting the cause, such as Danielle Borradaile, Kate Malfara and Dorian Mitchell, works by three autistic savants donated by a national autism group will be on view.
Christophe Pillault, who lives in France, is one of the savants — a person with autism who has extraordinary skills not exhibited by most people. Mr. Pillault, 21, is unable to talk, walk or feed himself, but he uses his hands to paint beautiful and expressive paintings that can sell for up to $4,000. Malaysian artist Yeak Ping Lian, 11, draws colorful and cheerful pictures, such as a drawing of a rooster featured in the show. The third featured savant is Scottish artist Richard Wawro, who died in February of cancer at age 53. Mr. Wawro's works are detailed and dramatic drawings from memory including natural scenes and landscapes. Owners of his artwork included Pope John Paul II.
All proceeds of sales made during the exhibit will go directly to HeARTs for Autism. The group serves about 50 families with the help of many volunteers, hosting programs that use arts and crafts to try to break down some of the communication and social barriers these children face. In addition to family and sibling painting programs, a parenting component is offered, which involves meditation and breathing and provides a spiritual space.
Ms. Schwoyer says one in 166 children are diagnosed with autism, but it is the least funded disability in the U.S. "(We want to) lift up awareness and look for support in the community," she says. Because autism spectrum disorders are "invisible" disabilities, parents of autistic children are often met with fear, resistance and judgment from other parents who don't realize their children have a disability.
Autism occurs as a result of a neurological disorder that affects the normal functioning of the brain. This impacts development in the areas of social interaction and communication skills. "No one knows how to make it go away — it makes you feel powerless," she says.
Ms. Schwoyer is currently meeting with politicians to be an advocate for better services, as finding the best treatment for each individual case of autism is often difficult, as well as finding the best educational options. HeARTs for Autism brings together parents who are similarly confused and discouraged by these barriers, in addition to the communication barriers they face daily with their children.
"With HeARTs for Autism, the thing that strikes me is the art in heart," Ms. Schwoyer says. "It's interesting that artists see that. What the families experience, though, is the word heart."
HeARTs for Autism will be on view in honor of National Autism Awareness Month at BOI's of New Hope Art Gallery, 9 W. Mechanic St., New Hope, Pa., April 7-30. A group demonstration by families in HeARTs for Autism will be held April 7, 5-9 p.m., as part of Second Saturday New Hope. An artists' reception and progressive painting auction will be held April 22, 6-10 p.m. Gallery Hours: Fri.-Sun. noon-evening and by appointment. For information, call (215) 862-8292. BOI's on the Web: www.boisofnewhope.com. HeARTs for Autism on the Web: www.heartsforautism.org
For more information about the art or the artist, please contact:
BOI's of New Hope Art Gallery
9 W. Mechanic Street
New Hope, PA 18938
215.862.8292
boisofnewhope@verizon.net
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| Turquoise Dragonfly, by Kevin |
Blue Butterfly, by Kevin |
| Acrylic on Canvas Board |
Acrylic on Canvas Board |
| 5 x 7 |
5 x 7 |
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| Butterfly – Green & Orange, by Kevin |
Purple Butterfly, by Kevin |
| Acrylic on Canvas Board |
Acrylic on Canvas Board |
| 5 x 7 |
5 x 7 |
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| Prosperity by Kevin |
Meadow Dancer, by Erika |
| Acrylic on Canvas Board |
Acrylic on Canvas Board |
| 8 x 10 |
11 x 14 |
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| Heart Angel, by Erika |
Cry For Peace, by Robin |
| Acrylic on Canvas Board |
Acrylic on Canvas Board |
| 8 x 10 |
8 x 10 |
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| Dolphin, by Kevin |
Fish, by Kevin |
| Acrylic on Canvas Board |
Acrylic on Canvas Board |
| 5 x 7 |
5 x 7 |
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| Caterpillar, by Kevin |
Sunset Over The Park, by Kevin |
| Acrylic on Canvas Board |
Acrylic on Canvas Board |
| 5 x 7 |
8 x 10 |
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| Walk In The Park, by Kevin |
Fall Into Grace, by Svetlana |
| Acrylic on Paper |
Acrylic on Canvas Board |
| 5 x 7 |
8 x 10 |
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| Why Does My Head Feel Like This?, by Kevin |
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| Acrylic on Canvas Board |
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| 8 x 14 |
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