Step into the vibrant world of Project Onward, where art transcends barriers and celebrates diversity! Since 2004, Project Onward has provided studio space and materials for adults over 18 with developmental disabilities and mental illness to unleash their creativity. With a commitment to accessibility, artists receive support and opportunities to showcase their talent, earning 50% of proceeds from art sales. Join us on a journey of empowerment and inspiration at Project Onward, where every brushstroke tells a story of resilience and triumph!
NANCY: I am Nancy Gomez, the Executive Director of Project Onward at the Bridgeport Art Center. Back in 2004, the founders created Project Onward for adults over 18 who had developmental disabilities and mental illness. We provide all the studio space as well as the materials for them to create art. Once their art is created, we sell that for them. They receive 50% of the proceeds and they don’t have to pay a dime. We have a studio and gallery on the fourth floor, as well as a ceramic studio on the fifth floor.
TEKKI: My name is Tekki Lomnicki. I am the artistic director of Tellin’ Tales Theatre. I’m a director and actor, a writer, and a teaching artist. I was a little bit nervous coming here because I knew the building was really big, but I had wonderful guides the whole time. When my taxi dropped me off, they dropped me off at the accessible entrance with the ramp, I went around and a man opened one of the doors for me and was there to guide me. When I walked in, I was greeted warmly.
NANCY: Most people, when they first enter our space, they say that it seems like you’re a family. Everybody is hard at work creating art, but also having conversations and making friends with each other. Everybody, no matter what walk of life they’re in or what disability they may have, should all be able to come in and look at artwork, learn about the artwork, and talk to our artists about the artwork.
TEKKI: I thought that the venue very much accommodated me today. I was able to get around the whole place and on the elevators.
NANCY: Some of our artists having issues where they are either going to have to use walkers and wheelchairs, so we definitely need to be able to be accessible to them as well as to the public. If somebody calls up and they have a hearing disability or a speech disability, we can accommodate them. We can get an ASL person in, or we can provide somebody to describe the artwork that’s in our gallery. For anybody who has sensory issues, we have earphones, so they’re able to come in and we can turn the lights low as well. Once they come in and they see our artwork that’s comparable to artists anywhere, they love seeing the artwork and talking to our artists.
TEKKI: It is a wonderful artistic place. Please come to Project Onward. You will have an experience like you’ve never had before.
NANCY: Soy Nancy Gomez, la Directora Ejecutiva de Project Onward en el Bridgeport Art Center. En 2004, los fundadores crearon Project Onward para adultos mayores de 18 años con discapacidades del desarrollo y enfermedades mentales. Proveemos todo el espacio de estudio, así como los materiales para que ellos creen arte. Una vez que su arte está creado, lo vendemos por ellos. Reciben el 50% de las ganancias y no tienen que pagar ni un centavo. Tenemos un estudio y galería en el cuarto piso, así como un estudio de cerámica en el quinto piso.
TEKKI: Mi nombre es Tekki Lomnicki. Soy la directora artística de Tellin’ Tales Theatre. Soy directora y actriz, escritora y artista docente. Estaba un poco nerviosa al venir aquí porque sabía que el edificio era realmente grande, pero tuve guías maravillosos todo el tiempo. Cuando mi taxi me dejó, me dejaron en la entrada accesible con la rampa, di la vuelta y un hombre abrió una de las puertas para mí y estuvo allí para guiarme. Cuando entré, me recibieron cálidamente.
NANCY: La mayoría de las personas, cuando entran por primera vez a nuestro espacio, dicen que parece que somos una familia. Todos están trabajando arduamente creando arte, pero también conversando y haciendo amigos entre ellos. Todos, sin importar su origen o la discapacidad que puedan tener, deben poder entrar y mirar las obras de arte, aprender sobre ellas y hablar con nuestros artistas sobre el arte.
TEKKI: Pensé que el lugar me acomodó muy bien hoy. Pude recorrer todo el lugar y usar los ascensores.
NANCY: Algunos de nuestros artistas tienen problemas donde tienen que usar andadores y sillas de ruedas, por lo que definitivamente necesitamos ser accesibles para ellos así como para el público. Si alguien llama y tiene una discapacidad auditiva o del habla, podemos acomodarlos. Podemos traer a una persona de ASL o proporcionar a alguien que describa las obras de arte en nuestra galería. Para cualquier persona con problemas sensoriales, tenemos auriculares, así que pueden venir y también podemos bajar las luces. Una vez que vienen y ven nuestro arte, comparable al de cualquier artista, les encanta ver las obras y hablar con nuestros artistas.
TEKKI: Es un lugar artístico maravilloso. Por favor, vengan a Project Onward. Tendrán una experiencia como nunca antes han tenido.
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