Exhibit by Artists from Yad B'Yad Opens May 15

This spring, the artists of Yad B'Yad are partnering with the JCC Cultural Arts to present "Art From the Heart", the first Yad B'Yad art exhibit. Yad B'Yad is a program of the Bureau of Jewish Education of Greater Buffalo. Hebrew, for Hand in Hand, Yad B'Yad provides outreach, advocacy and program support that assists people with disabilities to achieve full participation in the Jewish and Buffalo communities.

"The "Art From the Heart" exhibit gives our artists a wonderful opportunity to share their talents with the community while raising awareness of their special abilities," says Cindi Mikulik, director of Yad B'Yad. "Working with the JCC Cultural Arts has been very exciting for us. We look forward to collaborating on more projects in the near future."

Art from the Heart will feature the artistic talents and accomplishments of Daniel Rodgers, Jeremy Pratt, Liz Skerker, Sarah Doueck and Rick Grear. The exhibition will include framed drawings, paintings, and more.

"I enjoy working as an artist while attending Aspire's iExpress art program at the Tri -Main Building. I have participated in this program for about ten years and have had the opportunity to work with many instructors during that time," says artist Liz Skerker. "I recently painted my brother's dog, Ozzie. The finished painting made me feel happy, which is how I like people to feel when they view my work. I want them to feel better about art and to feel good...inside and out!"

"I started making art in grammar school," says artist Sarah Doueck. "I now make art when I am at Aspire Co-Op. I like to make art because it makes me feel good. I like to use paints, watercolors and clay and my favorite color is yellow. My favorite type of art to look at is 3D art from the sixties. I make art because I want people to feel very good inside when they see all of my work."

"Art has no limitations and allows us to celebrate our differences and explore our similarities with each other. It is one of the best mediums for inclusion and we believe that all persons, regardless of their disabilities, should have equal opportunities to express their talents and to be successful in the Arts," says Katie Wzontek, who curates the gallery as Cultural Arts director at the JCC. "We are proud to have the opportunity to partner with Yad B'Yad and share these truly talented artists with the community."

There will be a free gallery reception, open to the community, May 24, 6-8 p.m., in the Lippman Lounge and Bunis Family Art Gallery at the JCC Benderson Family Building.

Photo: Daniel Rodgers (no title)