Congressman Leonard Lance chats with Arts Access artist Luis Rodriguez.

Congressman Leonard Lance (NJ-07) took one look at an untitled painting by Arts Access artist Jason Christie and exclaimed, “If you had told me that was a Jackson Pollock, I would have believed you!”

Rep. Lance toured Matheny recently, starting at the Robert Schonhorn Arts Center where he praised staff members, students and patients for being awarded a 2013 Fast Track Grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.

He visited with artist Luis Rodriguez in the visual arts studio and then watched Rodriguez work on his choreography with two dance facilitators. “I was pleased to talk with staff and patients at Matheny and learn more about the facility’s first-class art program for residents,” Lance said. “I was also impressed with the high quality of care that is provided to patients at this top-notch facility in Peapack.”

Arts Access enables people with disabilities to create fine art, assisted by professional artist-facilitators. The NEA grant was awarded to help support the 20th anniversary of Arts Access, which will be celebrated in November.