PASC SEPTEMBER 2023 NEWSLETTER

September is a month of change and new beginnings. Leaves change color, days get shorter, nights longer and the air chills as winter approaches. Kids and young adults start new grades, new schools, and settle into colleges. There is a flurry of activity. Like the squirrels madly gathering nuts, all of us are busy busy as the leisure of summer shifts to the structured preparations and routine of Fall.

At PASC too we meet this season with a respect for change and new beginnings. For this month we are saying goodbye to one the first champions of our program, Terey DeLisle former STEP Director of Program Services, who is moving on from PASC/STEP to start a new position as Superintendent of the Fairview Program of Monroe County, an organization that supports housing and stability for people with disabilities and mental health needs. Terey has not only been a huge supporter of PASC but helped open the door to the establishment of this program, as she was one of the first persons Anthony Marcellini, PASC Program Manger, spoke to at STEP in the summer of 2020, when the PASC program was just an idea. Now three years after those early prescient conversations, we wish Terey well in her new endeavors, while we welcome her successor, the indefatigable Monica Sharf, who is valiantly stepping into her new position.

Once again we have many things happening this month and next so please read through to the end.

Beyond the Obvious, PASC at University of Michigan Medical School Gallery, photo by Grace Serra

BEYOND THE OBVIOUS, PASC AT ART SPACE 200, UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN MEDICAL SCHOOL GALLERY, SEP 8 – NOV 10 

PASC is exhibiting at University of Michigan Medical School with Beyond the Obvious an exhibition featuring artists Stanley Brown, Sherri Bryant, Julie Ann Dombrowski, Chantell Donwell, LaToya Elliott, Lewis Foster, Eric Green, Susan Hudson, Tracy Mason, Debbie Osteen, and Jeremy Taylor.

This show is presented at Art Space 200 a small gallery in the University of Michigan Medical School, designed for art to be used as a tool to expose medical students to the humanistic aspects of medicine. Instead of art that deals with science, Art Space 200 uses art that reveals the patient's experience.

For this exhibition the gallery curator Grace Serra invited PASC to exhibit, for our goals are to champion artists with disabilities in the art world by supporting them to build careers as professional artists. By including disabled artists in the art world we represent a more social model of disabilities vs the longer standing medical model. The social model suggests disabilities are caused by how society is organized or the barriers society builds against people with disabilities. By removing barriers disabled people are given greater independence and equality in society. The older Medical model looks at disabilities as something wrong, ill or broken about a person, which should be fixed or changed by medical or other means.

In the context of the U of M Medical School, PASC artworks, in their brilliance, ingenuity and vitality, are a unique flashpoint to a more humanistic understanding of difference, allowing medical students to see beyond the diagnosis through the value of another’s artistic perspective. The exhibition is open to the public and will run through October, to celebrate disability pride month. Art Space 200 gallery is located at University of Michigan Medical School Gallery, Med Sci II, 1137 Catherine St,  Ann Arbor, MI 48109.

Jeremy Taylor, Lewis Foster and Nicholas Granch standing next to their artworks at the opening of The Sympathetic Relationship of Things

OPENING OF THE SYMPATHETIC RELATIONSHIP OF THINGS, FINAL EXHIBITION AT PASC AT THE BELT GALLERY

The opening of our newest and final exhibition The Sympathetic Relationship of Things, at our pop up PASC at the Belt gallery, was a success. Several artists came out to the opening, with families in tow, as well as a many new audience members who experienced PASC for the first time. This show, which is focused on artworks featuring intricate and gestural drawings of objects and symbols, is a beautiful example of the diversity of practices and styles that our program supports. There are some great artworks in this exhibition so make sure to stop by and see them. And consider buying the artwork. Sixty percent of the sale goes directly to our artists, and it’s not too early to get a jump on your holiday shopping. This exhibition will run through October 28^th. All forthcoming Detroit PASC exhibitions will take place at The PASC Detroit LANTERN Gallery opening this Fall.

Flier for Today is the Greatest at NIAD art center, featuring Ronald Griggs' artwork

UPCOMING EVENTS

We are participating in a number of upcoming events stop by and see us.

PASC at Eastern Market After Dark, September 21, 6-11pm

Come on by and visit PASC at Eastern Market After Dark. We’ll have a table of artwork and merch for sale at this popular affair. The event is located at Eastern Market Detroit, Shed 2, 2518 Market Street, Detroit, MI, 4820.

PASC at Batch Brewing, September 23^rd 4-8pm

PASC will present a night of Art at Batch Brewing on September 23^rd, 4-8pm. Come on down, see some PASC artwork and grab a beer at this cool indoor and outdoor venue.

Ronald Griggs represents PASC in Today is the Greatest at NIAD Art Center

Ronald Griggs' artwork is featuring in an exhibition at NIAD Art Center, a gallery and progressive art studio in Richmond, CA. This exhibition titled, Today is the Greatest features 71 artists with and without disabilities including artists from the SF Bay Area as well as artists from 37 different progressive art studios across the US. The exhibition opens on October 6 and runs through November 17, 2023. Opening Reception on October 14, 1-4PM at NIAD



PASC Presents on Building Career Paths in the Arts with MRS,

October 11, 1-2pm

PASC is participating in an event on October 11^th from 1- 2pm, hosted by Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS) titled “Artful Possibilities: Careers and Creativity with Disabilities”. MRS is a statewide network that partners with businesses and service providers like STEP to help build an inclusive workforce uniting businesses and individuals with disabilities. For this presentation MRS is highlighting organizations that empower people with disabilities to reach their full potential, specifically PASC’s support in advancing independent artistic practices, showing how we build individual career paths in the art and design fields for people with disabilities. It will be held via ZOOM with invitations being sent state wide! This event is part of several events throughout the month of October to celebrate Disability Awareness month!

Speak Out, PASC at Wayne County Community College,

Ted Scott Campus Art Gallery, October 18 - November 15, 2023

Speak Out, is an art show about the multitudes of voices and types of expression. Featuring artists from Progressive Art Studio Collective and artists from Wayne County Community College, Ted Scott Campus. This show is curated by PASC Lead Art Advisor Hannah Lilly and PASC Art Advisor Evan Condron. Opening reception October 18th, 5:30pm-7:30pm. The exhibition will run from October 18 through November 15. And takes place at Wayne County Community College, Ted Scott Campus Art gallery, 9555 Haggerty Rd, Belleville, MI 48111.

QUICK PASC DETROIT LANTERN UPDATE

A very quick update to all our supporters and funders. Construction continues on our future gallery and studio in the LANTERN building in Detroit. It is taking a bit longer than expected but the builders are working at a mad pace and we hope to begin occupancy by the beginning of November 2023. We'll share photos of the finishing touches as the building turns into less of a construction site and more of an architectural marvel.

SUPPORT PASC

If you are interested in further supporting our program we are always open to material and financial contributions. We accept monetary donations through the following link stepcentral.org/monetary-donation make sure to select Progressive Art Studio collective. Or you can send a check to Services to Enhance Potential (with PASC written on the check) to 2941 S. Gulley Road, Dearborn, MI 48124-3160. Or contact us directly progressiveart@stepcentral.org to talk about how you would like to be involved.

We also accept material donations, everything from lightly used art supplies, art equipment and furniture, and art books. Please email a description and an image of what you would like to donate to progressiveart@stepcentral.org.

Or you can purchase something for our studio artists via our wish list at at Blick here or our Amazon list.

Thank you  

PASC and STEP 

www.progressiveartstudiocollective.org

www.stepcentral.org



Progressive Art Studio Collective is a program of Services to Enhance Potential (STEP) a non profit organization which provides support and services to over 1,400 persons with developmental disabilities and mental health differences in Wayne County.

@ProgressiveArtStudioCollective