Red Horse Gallery to Feature Artist Christina Symanski
New Brunswick, NJ – VSA arts of New Jersey announces an exhibit by artist Christina Symanski to be held from September 15 to November 14, 2008 at the Red Horse Gallery at the Freehold Raceway Mall. A Meet the Artist Reception will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, September 18. Located on the upper mall level next to Sears, the Red Horse Gallery is a collaboration of VSA arts of New Jersey and the Arc of Monmouth featuring exhibits by artists with disabilities, special events, and classes.
About the Artist
Christina Symanski, 27 years old, graduated summa cum lauded from Kean University in 2002 with a degree in fine arts education. Shortly after graduation, she began working in the Lakewood Public School District teaching art for grades kindergarten through sixth. In the fall of 2003 Christina began teaching art at Warnsdorfer Elementary School in East Brunswick. She loved her job and especially enjoyed working with children. Christina also enjoyed being involved with the school community, attending events such as putting up displays and serving as an advisor to the school yearbook. In fall of 2004 and spring of 2005 she attended graduate classes for her master’s degree in studio painting.
On June 5, 2005 Christina was injured in a diving accident, causing injury to her spinal cord. She is now paralyzed from the chest down, leaving her with extremely limited movement in her arms. Christina has been painting using her mouth, creating beautiful still-life art and, more poignantly, autobiographical pieces depicting her injury and her fears and dreams for the future. She feels very strongly that her greatest chance for recovery lies within embryonic stem cell research. Christina hopes to raise awareness about spinal cord injury and research for a cure through her artwork and writing.
About VSA arts of New Jersey
Founded in 1978, VSA arts of New Jersey is a part of the international VSA arts network, an affiliate of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC. VSA arts of New Jersey is dedicated to promoting the creative power of people with disabilities. Statewide programming and services include arts education, professional development, award competitions, exhibits, festivals and performances.
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Major funding for VSA arts of New Jersey is provided in part by the Middlesex County Cultural & Heritage Commission; New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts; and the central office of VSA arts, under an award from the U.S. Department of Education. However, the content does not necessarily reflect the policy of the U.S. Department of Education and endorsement should not be assumed.
About the Arc of Monmouth
Arc Resources Unlimited (ARU) is an employment services program of The Arc of Monmouth. ARU’s team of professionals assists people who have disabilities in finding a job, reflective of their skills, abilities and talents and continues support during the training process, and on an as needed basis, after the person has become successfully employed. In ARU’s quest to promote the skills, talents, and dreams of people with disabilities, the collaboration with VSA arts of New Jersey was a natural progression.
For more information including how artists with disabilities can have their work featured, contact: Vanessa Young, Executive Director of VSA arts of New Jersey at (732) 745-3885 or Thea Strong, Director of The Arc of Monmouth Employment Services at (732) 866-0435. Please visit VSA arts of New Jersey online at www.vsanj.org and the Red Horse Gallery at http://geocities.com/arugallery/.
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VSA arts of New Jersey
703 Jersey Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
(732) 745-3885, 745-3913 (TTY), 745-4524 (FAX)
info@vsanj.org