Artists with diverse ways of thinking, communicating and creating were celebrated during an Aug. 7 reception for the “Neuro-Diverse Universe,” an exhibit on display at the 2Create Gallery.
The artwork is viewable on weekends through Saturday, Aug. 29.
“This show is for all the artists, from the ones whose artwork is already hanging in galleries to the artists whose work should be,” said exhibit curator Helen Munroe.
Attendees packed the gallery for the opening show, which featured work from more than 20 neuro-diverse artists. Not only was every artist’s work different from each other, so were their conditions, which ranged from autism and memory loss to ADHD, deafness and Down syndrome.
The ages of the artists ranged from 18 to 85, and several were from the local community, she said.
“As a retired special education teacher, I got really excited about the idea for having the show,” Munroe said.
An artist herself, she said the exhibit “is not something that I do,” crediting the many people behind-the-scenes for having everything come together.
Artist Eric Allen Ogle, who is deaf, had three art pieces on display at the exhibit. (Regina Elling)
Artist Eric Allen Ogle, who is deaf, was able to speak with the guests through his partner, Gordan Miller, who translated in sign language, as well as by an app on his phone.
Although Ogle described himself as a “true introvert,” who would rather be making art than speaking with people, Ogle’s big smile implied he was enjoying the show.
Ogle had a series of three mixed media pieces in the exhibit. Each piece featured a portrait of someone, with a small piece of newsprint covering their face.
In the statement under his work, Ogle stated he was “inspired by personal experiences and a lifelong search for understanding,” and reflecting “a journey through intuition, perception and wonder.”
“My idea was to use the writing on the faces as a way to read someone’s mind,” he said.
Olge said he grew up in St. Louis, where he regularly created art. He ended up in San Diego after winning an art award at age 18.
Ogle said creating his art is easy.
“It just comes naturally. It’s a gift,” he said.
Artist Madison Munroe, 30, said she doesn’t always find creating artwork to be easy.
Exhibit curator Helen Munroe with her daughter, Madison Munroe, who has her artwork on exhibit. (Regina Elling)
“The hardest part is the planning, and figuring out how to translate my idea on canvas or into an art piece; how I can convey my message,” she said.
The daughter of Helen Munroe, Madison Munroe said her favorite part is “being in the zone.”
“When I’m in the middle of creating and it all finally starts to come together, it’s like wow, I can do this,” Madison Munroe said. “It’s like a big accomplishment.”
She began creating after a college art class in 2017 piqued her interest. Her work focuses on things she loves, such as diet drinks, people and pets.
A bright pink beaded drink can displayed on a hot pink platform was the work of artist Madison Munroe, who said she creates things she loves. (Regina Elling)
One of her three pieces featured a drink can covered in pink and black small, shiny beads. The can rested on a hot pink platform.
“I drink a lot of diet beverages and use a lot of hot pink; it’s one of my favorite colors,” she said.
Having an artistic mom has its ups and downs, she said.
“I don’t always take her advice, but probably wouldn’t have done the show without her encouragement,” Madison Munroe said.
She added that she felt the exposure from the exhibition was really good for her, as it was helping her “to get out of my head a little bit.”
Henny Kupferstein, born and raised in Brooklyn, had four pieces in the show. She described moving across the country in 2015 as a “way out of a lifestyle that oppressed me and my children.”
Artist Henny Kupferstein displayed several pieces at the exhibition, including “Dizzy Achings,” a large acrylic on canvas, featuring diners sitting in booths at a Jewish-style deli. (Regina Elling)
She finished her education in California, and once in San Diego, Kupferstein said she stayed “because of the climate.”
One of her pieces, titled “Dizzy Achings,” is a large acrylic on canvas that features diners sitting in booths at a restaurant.
“I entered a Jewish-style deli expecting familiarity,” she said. “I experience Jewish food as ritual, identity, family and history. When traditions become separated from the value that gave them meaning, they can feel more like stage props than living culture.”
Kupferstein said the “experience of Jewish food outside my hometown was nothing like what I recognized.”
For example, she said serving single large matzo balls instead of the smaller ones she was used to. She described a Splenda packet being held by two of the diners as “the only thing I recognized.”
Husband and wife Ken Hotelling and Mary Ketchem of Ramona said they have been attending events at 2Create Gallery for years. (Regina Elling)
Ken Hotelling and Mary Ketchem, a married couple from Ramona, said they have been attending events at 2Create Gallery for years.
“This show is very interesting because of the neuro-diverse artists,” Ketchem said.
The pair added exhibitions at the gallery were “always fun,” and they almost always found art to purchase.
“We have some really great artists here in Ramona, and people would be surprised at how many places down the hill display Ramona art,” she said.
Helen Munroe said she hopes the exhibit will allow people to see art from a different perspective.
“The pieces create a symphony as you walk through them,” she said. “It’s positive, colorful, joyful and makes you smile.”
Want to visit?
“Neuro-Diverse Universe” exhibit
When: open from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays through Aug. 29.
Where: 2Create Gallery, 438 Main St. in Ramona.
Cost: Free.
Email: theartcenterramona@gmail.com
Phone: 619-985-9584