CONGRATULATIONS ARTISTS
“The Academy of Special Dreams and The ALHAMBRA and The RATKOVICH COMPANY present, Uniting Borders “Empowering Artists” 2021-2022, featuring the newest original works of Art by a diverse group of more than 20 local and international artists who represent a wide spectrum of race, ethnicity, gender, age and abilities, truly reflective of the diversity of our society. Participating artists include Annie Young, a visually impaired painter whose colorful palettes simply inspire, Basilio Alonzo, a self-taught autistic artist whose goal is to become a professional photographer, and Rafael Moreno, an emerging visual artist who deftly manipulates his paint brush using only his mouth after losing the use of his arms and legs down following a severe motorcycle accident.
As our CEO Michael Dergar states, “Now that the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic is behind us, the Empowering Artists 2021 inclusive art exhibition will celebrate the creative talents of a diverse group of artists by showcasing their original works of Art to reinforce our view and educate mainstream society in the San Gabriel Valley that exhibitions of visual art can and must include people of all backgrounds without regard to disabilities.”
OUR MISSION MISSION
Bringing Public Awareness, Recognition and Appreciation to our Artists with different abilities.
The Academy of Special Dreams Foundation believes its mission includes educating the larger society that disability is a natural part of the human experience and people with disabilities should not be excluded from participating in society due to discrimination or bias based on perceived disabilities. We strive for the day that having a physical, intellectual and other disability will in no way diminish the right of any individual to live independently and free of discrimination or bias, to enjoy self-determination, to pursue a meaningful career, to contribute to society, and to be part of a loving family.
EXHIBITION TIME LINE
September, 2021
The art exhibition will be held during the month of September 2021 at the Alhambra City Hall lobby, 111 S. 1st Street, Alhambra, California. We recognize our sponsor’s support of the Academy of Special Dreams Foundation and our partnership and collaboration with The ALHAMBRA and THE RATKOVICH COMPANY.
October 2021 – April, 2022 The art exhibition will be held at The ALHAMBRA Galleries, Alhambra, California.
A virtual Art exhibition will be featured in our website: www.specialacademy.org and http://www.thealhambra.net/
SEPTEMBER 2022 Uniting Borders will be exhibited at the Los Angeles City Hall Bridge Gallery in our yearly Disability Art Show.
On behalf of the Academy we thanks our extended family The ALHAMBRA and THE RATKOVICH COMPANY and All of our Sponsors for your support and initiative to help us, but most of all to help us in our mission of making a more inclusive society.
Michael Dergar
Founder/CEO
The Academy of Special Dreams Foundation
