Arc Resources Unlimited celebrated the opening of an art gallery at the Freehold Raceway Mall, Freehold Township, on April 18.
More than 125 visitors attended the reception, including the featured artists Vimala Gade, Gabriella Gonzalez, Melinda Hall, Laurie Homan, Belle Hsu, Lois Monaghan, Barbara Snyder and students from The High Point Adolescent School, Morganville, and The Rugby School, Wall Township.
State Sen. Ellen Karcher attended the reception and presented a joint legislative resolution honoring The Arc of Monmouth and VSA arts of New Jersey for making possible the new gallery opening at the Freehold Raceway Mall.
Also in attendance were Freehold Township Mayor Dorothy Avallone; Freehold Township Committeeman Anthony Ammiano; Freehold Raceway Mall property manager, Frank Lucia Sr.; and senior marketing manager at the mall, Debra Panzarella. Several members of the Optimist Club also attended the event.
Jere Cognetta, assistant executive director of The Arc of Monmouth, in her opening remarks explained to the guests that in 1993 The Arc of Monmouth was given the opportunity to open a job training and placement program at the Freehold Raceway Mall by the Wilmorite Corporation, previous owners of the mall, who provided the space to conduct The Arc of Monmouth’s supported employment program, known as Arc Resources Unlimited.
Since that time Arc Resources Unlimited has been looking for the right retail operation to house in the storefront; one that would complement the job training and placement services offered at this site. After years of attempts to get a viable business going at this location, Thea Strong, director of employment services, found information on VSA arts of New Jersey. Both organizations quickly recognized that they shared a common goal – to enrich and promote the creative energies of individuals with disabilities – and they decided to collaborate on this project. The opening of the gallery is a realization of that goal, according to a press release.
In December 2004 the Macerich Company acquired the Freehold Race-way Mall and Cognetta thanked the firm for showing its support of The Arc’s mission by allowing Arc Resources Unlim-ited to continue its presence at the mall location.
Vanessa Young, executive director of VSA arts of New Jersey, explained that the group is part of the international VSA arts network, an affiliate of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.
Founded in 1978, VSA arts of New Jersey is dedicated to promoting the creative power of people with disabilities. Statewide programming and services include arts education, professional development, award competitions, exhibits, festivals and performances.
Strong expressed her observations and said, “Many of us still focus on the disability rather than the skills and talents of each person. Consequently we frequently underestimate the potential and accomplishments of people who have a disability.”
She quoted one of the featured artists, Lois Monaghan, who said, “My disability has taught me to use all of my other senses to cherish each day; to appreciate all the beauty around me; to have patience, compassion and faith; to treat each obstacle as a challenge to overcome; and to find the strength I never knew I had.”
The gallery will continue to feature art created by individuals who have special needs. Different exhibits as well as sales of retail art will be offered at the Freehold Raceway Mall location.
The gallery will be open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with the goal to eventually have enough funding for staff to extend the business hours to include weekends and evenings.
For more information including how artists with disabilities can have their work featured, contact Thea Strong at (732) 866-0435, or Vanessa Young at (732) 745-3885 or visit geocities.com/arugallery.