The Long Island Museum (LIM) is proud to announce the opening of ArtABILITY ‘24 a traveling art exhibition organized by the Spirit of Huntington Art Center that showcases the talents of individuals on Long Island and the surrounding area living with various physical and cognitive challenges. Its purpose is to educate the community about the remarkable talents of people with diverse abilities, inspire people to reach beyond their limitations to explore their own creativity, and promote the inclusion of people with disabilities in the arts. This year’s exhibition will be on view in the History Museum at the LIM in Stony Brook, NY from September 19th through October 13, 2024.  

Ingrid Cuadra, the Spirit of Huntington Art Center's ArtABILITY Program Director and Art Shows/Events Coordinator, and Michael Kitakis, Executive Director, said, "We are honored and thrilled to have partnered with all of our partners to host this amazing tour. I know this is an incredible opportunity for our exhibition to be on view during significant events the Long Island Museum is hosting.”

Spirit of Huntington offers art classes that provide a unique opportunity for students to enjoy a stress free, therapeutic environment that fosters creativity and self-esteem. ArtABILITY ‘24 celebrates the accomplishments of the artists and the many non-profit partner organizations that support their day-to-day lives and who believe in the impact the arts can have on individuals with varying abilities. 

“It has been a wonderful process partnering with the Spirit of Huntongton to bring the ArtAbility '24 exhibition to the Long Island Museum, said Kristin Cuomo, Senior Educator at the LIM.  “We are thrilled to recognize the work that they do to make rich cultural and artistic experience accessible to all Long Islanders and look forward to sharing an exhibition that centers the stories of people with disabilities in our community.”

Other  partner organizations include: AHRC Suffolk, Cerebral Palsy Association of Nassau, FREE- Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Life’s WORC, RISE Life Services, South Huntington School District, Pal- O- Mine, TSINY - Transitional Services of New York, Winters Center for Autism, SYJCC-Butler Center, and the Mid-Island YJCC-Adler Center for Special Needs. 

ArtABILITY is funded in part by Suffolk County Department of Economic Planning, Legislators Stephanie Bontempi, Tom Donnelly, and Rebecca Sanin, and made possible with the support of  TD Charitable Foundation, AHRC Suffolk, RISE Life Services, Family Residences & Essential Enterprises, Life’s WORC, and Winters Center for Autism.

This event is made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regrant Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, and administered by The Huntington Arts Council.

About the Spirit of Huntington Art Center: 

The Spirit of Huntington Art Center is a non-profit organization that ignites the passions of students with varying abilities and Veterans for creative expression that transforms their lives. 

Located in the Rise in Spirit Community Center, our organization is built on the foundation of love that fosters problem solving and free expression that can help nurture students of all ages and all abilities through education, recreation and vocational training in our structured, safe environment. We are a community resource for fine art classes, sculpture, music, dance, as well as digital art training for students with varying abilities for rewarding careers in graphic and computer design. spiritofhuntington.com

The Art Center’s founder, Erich Preis, had a vision to open an art school for students who struggle with self-expression. Erich, who is on the autism spectrum, utilized art as a way to overcome challenges and as a method to communicate and relate to others. Erich is now an accomplished fine artist who has exhibited in many galleries in the New York region.

ABOUT THE LONG ISLAND MUSEUM:

Located at 1200 Route 25A in Stony Brook, the Long Island Museum is a Smithsonian Affiliate dedicated to enhancing the lives of adults and children with an understanding of Long Island's rich history and diverse cultures. Regular museum hours are Thursday through Sunday from 12:00 p.m to 5 p.m. Tickets are available at the History Museum entrance; pre-registration is not required. For more information visit longislandmuseum.org.