BUFFALO, N.Y. – In recognition of Autism Awareness Month, WNED’s Horizons Gallery will host “Arts Work Program Group Show 2012, Autistic Services Inc.” April 2-27. The event is free and open to the public weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  The gallery is located in the WNED studios at 140 Lower Terrace, across from the Adam’s Mark Hotel in downtown Buffalo.  Free parking is available.

An opening reception, also free and open to all, will take place Friday, April 13 at 6 p.m. The No Words Spoken drumming group will perform during this event at 6:30 p.m. in WNED’s main studio.

This annual exhibition showcases the artistic talents and creative interpretations of students at Autistic Services, Inc. in Williamsville, N.Y. Adult and child artists from Autistic Services’ Arts Work program contribute work in a variety of styles and media. The WNED exhibition is one of several planned throughout the community this year to mark Arts Work’s 10th anniversary and Autistic Services, Inc.’s 30 years.

About Arts Work
A program at Autistic Services, Inc., Arts Work was created by Executive Director Veronica Federiconi in 2002 to give people with autism the opportunity to become involved in the visual and performing arts. Communication is one of the main challenges participants face; visual art provides them with a means of expression. Artists are given many choices and encouraged to try new things, but the main objective is for them to find materials they feel comfortable with and create art-making processes of their own. The program has resulted in more than 50 art exhibitions throughout Western New York and some of the artists have achieved milestones, such as solo exhibitions, community recognition and awards.

Autistic Services, Inc. is an educational and support agency that provides comprehensive services for people with Autism Spectrum Disorders and their families. Enrichment programs in art, music and creative movement promote personal growth and development. Learn more at autisticservices.org.

**** Representative exhibition image is available upon request to skashuba@wned.org or (716) 845-7000, ext. 382. ****