Art With Heart: Melmark Artisans Open Wednesday at Case Gallery

Artists from Melmark open a new exhibit and sale Wednesday night on the Main Line, at Case Gallery in Ardmore. 

Called "The Melmark Traveling Art Show," it highlights adult artists with autism spectrum disorders and Down Syndrome who work in a greenhouse/art studio building on the Melmark Campus in Berwyn to create intricate, hand-crafted art work—from custom-made stationary and cards to elaborate dried-flower arrangements and paintings.

The artists literally create their work from the ground up, working year-round to cultivate exotic flowers in a greenhouse during the winter, planting an amazing garden in the spring, harvesting and then drying the garden's flowers and ultimately turning them into one-of-a-kind works of art. Their work has been displayed at the prestigious Philadelphia Flower Show and is available for sale.

Melmark describes itself as "a not-for-profit provider of residential, educational, vocational and therapeutic services for children and adults with autism spectrum disorders, developmental disabilities, acquired brain injuries, other neurological and genetic disorders and related challenging behaviors."

In addition to Berwyn, Melmark has a location in Andover, MA. 

Case Gallery was voted Best New Business of 2011 in Ardmore Patch's recent readers poll.

“Our students and their parents are thrilled about this opportunity to have their artwork displayedat a gallery, alongside other artists,” said Joanne Gillis-Donovan, Ph.D., Melmark’s president and CEO, in a statement.

“Our mission is to showcase their abilities instead of their disabilities. Case Gallery’s support of their work truly shows its commitment to the community.”

If you can't make it to the gallery Wednesday evening but would like to purchase something from the Meadows artisans, you can call 1-888-MELMARK or email Liza Jones at LizaJones@melmark.org.