Mailman Center's ArtAbilities Collection
New Art Selections
History of Disability Art Exhibit
Children's Art Cards

Drawing Artist: At the time of this drawing, Kelley Lynch, 8, was a second grader at Biscayne Garden Elementary School in Miami, Florida, where she was actively involved in a very special arts program. Kelly, who is autistic, has found art to be an important way to express all the wonders inside her.

The Mailman Center for Child Development's art collection, ArtAbilities, was started in 1995 with the idea to put a child's drawing on the front cover of the Center's new brochure. The chosen art piece was done by Kelly Lynch, an eight-year-old girl with autism. Seven years later, the Mailman Center is bubbling over with children's art. Not just any art, but quality art created by children with disabilities or special health care needs, the very children the Center is dedicated to serving.

Each year, the Mailman Center has selected new art works created by children in Miami-Dade County Public Schools' exceptional student education program. Teachers throughout the county select the best students' work and submit those to a five-member jury. Out of an average of 140 submitted art pieces, about 35 are selected to become part of the ArtAbilities Collection. All the winners are invited to an awards ceremony held in June of each year. (See some of this year's New Art selections.) At that time the participants, age 3 to 21 years of age, bring their extended family to view their art, now framed with a bright color mat and hung in its permanent place for many to see.

Drawing Artist: Bernard Jones, 5th Grade, Charles Drew Elementary

Artist: Genesis Gonzalez, 3rd grade, age 8. Auburndale ESE Center Elementary.

In addition to a picture of themselves next to their art, the children individually receive an "artist" medal, a gift certificate and a set of note cards using their own art piece. The children and their family members are so proud and appreciative. Children with disabilities are typically singled out for their "deficits". ArtAbilities lets them shine for their strengths. Also, competition is such a normal part of growing up, but within the world of children with disabilities, whether physical, cognitive or emotional, the opportunities are many times thwarted.

Other related projects are History of Disability Art Exhibit and the Children's Art Cards Project.

"Exhibit unveils talents of disabled students" -- Published Monday, March 4, 2002 in the Miami Herald. ARTIST: Nathalie LePorte, an eighth-grader at Thomas Jefferson Middle School, has three artworks hanging in the Mailman Center.

Artist: Amanda Mendez, age 10, Banyan Elementary

Artist: Joseph Velasquez, 5th grade. Gulfstream Elementary.

Artists: Roberto Alba, Dante Hayes, Rolando Hernandez, Alejandro Nieto, Christopher Menedez, David Simmons, grades 4th & 5th Autistic. Everglades K-8 Center.

Artists: Anthony Bello, Nicholas De Leon, Jonathan Espaillat, Sebastian Gil, Rafael Madrid, Susan Valdes, grades K-1st Autistic. Everglades K-8 Center.