'Able Arts' Exhibit Opening Reception

A new "Able Arts" exhibit highlighting works by 10 artists with disabilities is coming to the

The exhibit is being sponsored by the Watertown Commission on Disability, and will be shown in the library's T. Ross Kelly Family Gallery, according to George Donohue, chairman of the commission.

An opening reception, with refreshments, is being held Sunday, Oct. 2 from 2 to 4:45 p.m., and is open to the public. The "Able Arts" exhibit will be on display through November.

Artist List

Here's the list of artists expected to be taking part in the exhibit, provided by George Donahue:

Saboul Kandilian: Color Photography. After suffering from a stroke, Saboul found that photography became a form of art therapy. Looking at the world differently now, Saboul wanted to capture the beauty of Boston. Saboul has exhibited at the Spalding Rehabilitation Center in Boston, Massachusetts General Hospital, Children’s Hospital Boston and the Cary Memorial Library in Lexington.

Lorraine Saia: Acrylic painting. Lorraine painted an underwater scene because it reminds her of the summer, her favorite time of the year.

Ben Ryan: Pencil and marker drawing. While Ben was reading about New Zealand he was inspired to create a pencil and marker drawing of a fjordland crested penguin. Ben is a resident of Randolph and attends the Reed Academy.

Latiya Washington: Crochet artwork. Latiya is a resident of Brookline and enjoys the art of crochet and the intricate process of creating fabric from yarn, thread or other material strands using a crochet hook. Crochet differs from knitting in that only one stitch is active at one time.

Jennifer LeBlanc: Acrylic painting. Jennifer likes to work with acrylic paints because they can be diluted with water, but become water-resistant when dry. “My painting reminds me of going to the kitchen and I think the kitchen is the heart of the home.” 

Peter Donnelly: Clay Sculpture. Peter likes to create humor in his pieces. He loved the movie Shrek and wanted to create the characters that he found to be so humorous.

Valerie Youngren: Colored Pencils. Valerie finds that abstract art is puzzle pieces. She was inspired by therapy and how therapeutic it is. “Sometimes in my life I feel puzzled about things and this helps me express my puzzled feelings to the world.”

Nick Morse: Acrylic Abstract paintings. Nick’s colorful impressionistic works have been displayed in the Cambridge Open Studios, ZuZu in Cambridge, Precinct in Somerville, National Heritage Museum in Lexington and the Great Neck Arts Center in Long Island, N.Y.

Jennifer Eggers: Watercolor and Textile. Jennifer’s work has been seen at the Worcester Saori Weaving Exhibition – “Bridges” 2010, Artists with Disabilities MRC SRC 2011 calendar ‘June’ and Artists with Disabilities South Station Exhibition.

George Donahue: Photography. George’s photography was awarded in the past at the Watertown Art Association exhibit for the ‘Family Tree.’ Several of his works were featured in MDA’s Quest magazine.

Perkins School for the Blind - Lower School Students: Construction This 16-panel quilt is a collabrative effort from the students at the

Elizabeth Auchincloss Ryles: She attended the Parsons School of Design and has worked in many different media, including drawing, textile and jewelry design. Her involvement in visual art and her struggles with Parkinson’s have made her sensitive to the fragmentary nature of human existence.

Raymond Isaacs: Stained glass. Raymond's piece was inspired by the scenery at Philmont Scout Camp in New Mexico. Raymond is an Asperger's kid who has lived in Watertown his whole life. He was an enthusiastic Boy Scout; he made it to Life Scout before aging out. He continues to work with his troop as an Assistant ScoutMaster. He hopes to make a career in the arts.