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Pro Arts Jersey City presents "Our Art Show"

originally published: 05/25/2023 

(JERSEY CITY, NJ) -- Pro Arts Jersey City presents a new exhibit, Our Art Show, which showcases the artwork of students from St. Joseph’s School for the Blind, and the residents of St. Joseph’s and St. Ann’s Adult Medical Day Programs to the ART150 Gallery. Our Art Show was curated by Athena Toledo and will be on view Saturdays in June from 1:00pm to 4:00pm.

As part of their mission to reach more members of the Jersey City community, Pro Arts Jersey City invited the art students of these organizations to present their work during June when we focus on the unique perspectives of people with disabilities.

There will be an Opening Reception on Friday, June 2 from 5:00pm– 9:00pm at ART150 Gallery (157A First Street in Jersey City) during Access JCFridays. The gallery is wheelchair accessible.

Curator Athena Toledo, known as @flora.athens, is a compassionate art therapist who assists blind and visually impaired students, nursing home residents, and adults with neurodiversity through the healing power of art. Toledo works at St. Joseph School for the Blind, where she employs techniques like Edith Kramer's hand-over-hand method and emphasizes process art to help visually impaired students express themselves creatively. 

At St. Joseph's & St. Ann's Adult Medical Day Programs, Toledo extends her support to individuals with diverse neurodiversity, guiding them through personalized art therapy sessions to navigate the challenges of daily life. Toledo also collaborates with residents at St. Ann's Nursing Home, creating a safe space for artistic expression and promoting emotional well-being among the elderly population.

Residing in Jersey City Heights, Toledo graduated from New Jersey City University and is currently enrolled in the Art Therapy MPS program at SVA. She envisions a future where art therapy continues to empower individuals and create positive change in their lives.

Pro Arts Jersey City is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) professional visual arts membership organization dedicated to supporting and promoting artists and their work.

ART150 Gallery is made possible by the generous donation of GFP Real Estate. Their programming is made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of the State, a partner agency for the National Endowment for the Arts and by Funds from the National Endowment for the arts, administered by the Hudson County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs, Thomas A. DeGise, County Executive, and the Board of Chosen Freeholders.  Other support includes funding from the Jersey City Arts and Culture Trust Fund, and the funding from the National Endowment for the Arts administered through the Jersey City Arts Council.

 

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