Artist Biography
I am an interdisciplinary artist with a passion for connecting with others and helping marginalized communities be seen. As an artist, I work with painting, ceramics, digital art, dance, and choreography. Within the helping professions, a passion of mine is with the Down Syndrome community. Since 2019, I have volunteered with PALS, a nonprofit organization that offers inclusive summer camp experiences for those with and without Down Syndrome. PALS has afforded me with lifelong friendships, education, compassion, and a desire to break harmful stereotypes about people with Down Syndrome.
This body of work illustrates three moments in time from my experiences with PALS. Using acrylic paint on 15 by 20 inch canvases, I reproduced images from three beloved photographs. The images are focused on the subjects of the portraits with blurred backgrounds, to emphasize the sense of community developed between the pairs. The images are meant to highlight my incredible friends and their infectious energies demonstrating the sense of belonging and inclusion that is present within these moments. In addition, a sketchbook full of abstract paintings, drawings, and poems was created throughout the painting process. These images reflect how I felt throughout the painting process. Some reflect memories that came up, some questions that presented themselves, while others are reflections about Emma and Gia. I hope that my paintings not only bring you a sense of joy but bring awareness to the Down Syndrome community which is often misunderstood. I want to emphasize the way in which art helped me foster a caring, diverse and vibrant community that I invite you to be a part of.
Thesis Abstract
Despite Down Syndrome being the most common chromosomal disorder, it is widely misunderstood which leads to countless stories of abuse, neglect, bullying, and isolation. With these harmful stereotypes, the quality of life for individuals with Down Syndrome is lower, demonstrating a need for art therapy which can help this community by improving social skills, emotional awareness and enhancing self-esteem therefore increasing emotional wellbeing.
This thesis examines how art can impact the lives of those with Down Syndrome not only by offering them a creative outlet in which they can communicate but also by creating a bridge between those with and without Down Syndrome. To explore this, a set of three acrylic paintings were created depicting the relationship between the researcher and individuals with Down Syndrome. In response to these paintings, the researcher created a sketchbook of abstract paintings and illustrations as well as poems to further explore how art can reveal emotions and foster communication. Through this process it was revealed that art can serve as a tool of communication for those with and without Down Syndrome, creating a deeper sense of community thereby improving the quality of life for all involved. This thesis will conclude by discussing the limitations of this work as well as further implications in relation to those with Down Syndrome and the field of art therapy.