www.firstfridaymainline.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: First Friday Main Line Celebrates Special Needs Artists March 7th, 2008

Friday, March 7th, 2008 is Charity Month For First Friday Main Line, so please save the date!

On a monthly basis, First Friday Main Line strives to make art accessible to all. Our area is resplendent with artists who utilize many styles and represent many mediums. But what many in our community do not know is how many of our local artists with amazing talent fall into the category of special needs individuals. Through their eyes, those of us involved with First Friday Main Line have learned anew what an important part of life art is.

Through art, many who are unable to express themselves through other channels shine like the stars that they are. These individuals show us how precious and important life and living with art in our lives is. First Friday Main Line March 7th, 2008 will showcase and celebrate the art and talent of special needs individuals from programs which work with both special needs adults and special needs high school students.

On Friday March 7th, 2008 First Friday Main Line will also be collecting donations at our First Friday Main Line venues. Proceeds from March First Friday will help the Main Line Art Center start a new outreach program with the Variety Club - art programs for high school aged special needs kids. Whatever anyone can give is deeply appreciated.

So in addition to the fabulous music and fun free trolley rides everyone enjoys monthly as our guests, on Friday March 7th, 2008 you will also look forward to:

A Two Dimensional Art Show from the students of Hill Top Preparatory School in Rosemont, PA. Hill Top remains on the cutting edge of providing innovative approaches for students with learning differences to gain the self-confidence and academic skills necessary to succeed in higher education and successful futures. Hill Top’s dynamic administration and faculty are dedicated to the school’s mission and the bright futures of all students who enter its doors.
Art Courtesy of The Main Line Art Center Outreach Programming -The Main Line Art Center provides a nurturing environment for artists of all ages, and grassroots opportunities for people to involve themselves in the visual arts. The Center has always had an interest in serving artists and students with special needs. When the Art Center refurbished its building in 1999 making it fully accessible, it expanded its outreach programming. The Art Center is extremely proud of its efforts to provide opportunities to challenged individuals who might not otherwise participate in the visual arts. Our programming includes both on and off-site instruction. All classes for those with special needs are taught by instructors experienced in dealing with individuals with physical and cognitive delays. The classes are designed not only to heighten sensitivity to the arts, but to encourage and build physical and cognitive skills as well. Art being exhibited Friday March 7th, 2008 will include art from the following programs:
Creating in Clay Beginning in 1963 the Art Center offered ceramics classes for the blind and visually impaired. Creating 3-dimensional artwork is most satisfying for the blind to create as it develops their tactile sense - clay is an ideal medium for that purpose. Classes are now taught on site at the Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired, in Chester. The artists who participate in this programming have submitted work to a touring exhibition that features the work of blind artists and have exhibited at the Philadelphia Foundation and the Main Line Art Center.

NuVisions for Disabled Artists, Inc . NuVisions for Disabled Artists, Inc. was founded in 1984 as a fully independent 501(c)(3). NuVisions was established to enable artists with physical challenges to pursue professional and semi-professional artistic opportunities. Because of their special needs, these artists cannot always participate in many private exhibitions and their work is either omitted or under presented. Very few professional galleries are disability accessible. Even when a gallery is accessible, it is difficult for artists with physical challenges to transport and present their own work. Many members of NuVisions have sustained brain injuries, and for these individuals even communicating with art galleries is difficult.

NuVisions serves these artists by sponsoring accessible exhibitions, special projects, and educational opportunities. Through efforts of NuVisions, members have the opportunity to exhibit their work and earn much needed supplemental income, thus empowering artists with physical challenges to remain self-sufficient members of the community.
Stay tuned to our website www.firstfridaymainline.com for details yet to come! See you on the trolley!

First Friday Main Line is a non-profit, 501(c)(3), community organization founded in 2006 by the area’s business and cultural leaders. The Mission of FFML is to bring Art to our Main Line community by creating opportunities to experience Art in everyday life. This new initiative intends to revitalize our Main Line communities of Ardmore, Haverford and Bryn Mawr while creating a regional spotlight for a diverse body of talented Artists, Musicians, and Performers.