Arts Access artist Michael Young. At right is his painting, “Motorcycle Shop.”

“Pure Expression,” an exhibition of paintings by artists in Matheny’s Arts Access Program, opened Sunday, Feb. 12, with a reception at the Monmouth Museum in Lincroft, NJ. The exhibit runs through March 18. We hope you stop by to see our artists’ wonderful artwork.

Arts Access enables people with disabilities to create fine art, assisted by professional artist-facilitators. Through the use of specialized communication and choice systems, the artists can follow their creative passions, building on their instincts and inner strengths. Through this ability to create fine art, the artists, many of whom are non-verbal, are able to distinguish themselves through their achievements rather than being defined by their disabilities.

In addition to painting, the Arts Access Program includes digital art, dance and choreography, sculpture, writing and drama.

The Monmouth Museum is a private, non-profit organization located at 765 Newman Springs Road in Lincroft on the campus of Brookdale Community College. Admission is $7; for hours and additional information, call (732) 747-2266 or log onto www.monmouthmuseum.org.

Coni Lefferts of Keyport, NJ, in front of “Randy and His Wife Stephanie” by Mark Riddle.

Through the use of specialized communication and choice systems, the artists are able to follow their creative passions and are encouraged to build upon their instincts and inner strengths. The ability to create fine art lets the artists define themselves by their achievements rather than by their disabilities. In addition to painting, the Arts Access Program encompasses digital art, sculpture, drama, writing, dance and choreography.

The Monmouth Museum is a private, non-profit organization located at 765 Newman Springs Road in Lincroft on the campus of Brookdale Community College. Admission is $7. The exhibit will begin with a reception, free and open to the public, from 3-5 p.m. on Sunday, February 12. It will run through March 18.

For hours and additional information, call (732) 747-2266 or visit www.monmouthmuseum.org.

Above, “Wisdom,” by Annie Paloff.

Below, “Beautiful Squares,” by Amy Ring.