“Never let anybody tell you that your art isn’t good. Stay original and don’t let anyone take that away from you!”

An amazing quotation by ArtWorks Young Artist Mariah, and a great segue into the introduction of this month’s ARTIST OF THE MONTH! But Mariah isn’t the only artist we will be featuring… ArtWorks is excited to present not one, but a WHOLE SCHOOL filled with amazing ArtWorks Young Artists at the HENRY VISCARDI SCHOOL!

The Henry Viscardi School (HVS) is a school for students with multiple physical disabilities often in need of medical treatment throughout the day. With a healthcare facility on campus, HVS gives their students the tools necessary to live complete and enriched lives and inspires them to pursue their goals and dreams.

Our Young Artists at HVS tell us that they draw their inspiration from artists, musicians, motivational speakers, and others who have battled and continue to battle disabilities in pursuit of their passions. Tiffany, a student in the 9th grade, said, “I love art because it is a free field and people can interpret it in many ways. Art can reach people at an emotional level!” Mariah, a student in the 12th grade, shared that she loves art because there is no rubric to creating art and because it is another way to communicate and express herself to the world! And this love for art, whether visual, musical, or performative, is shared by all our Young Artists at HVS!

The Henry Viscardi School has been a partner of ArtWorks since 2013 through our Express Yourself program and Artists in Residence (AIR) program. Check out our video montage of the recent ArtWorks AIR Assembly held at HVS just last month! The Henry Viscardi School will also be joining us for the upcoming Express Yourself-New York 2016 Showcase, and we look forward to seeing more great art and talent from our Young Artists at HVS!