“The gallery is a major achievement for us – a place where art produced by participants in our ArtsWork program can display their work for all to see. But the gallery is just a small part of our unique and far-reaching ArtsWork initiative,” said People Inc. President and CEO Anne McCaffrey. “What you will see in our gallery is just a small taste of the results of a dynamic program that is promoting creativity, independence and self-actualization for hundreds of people every day.”

ArtsWork is a People Inc. program that helps artists discover personal expression and build confidence and community through creative projects. The initiative is made possible through a combination of People Inc. Foundation donors and $150,000 in state funding secured by N.Y. State Assemblymember Karen McMahon.

"We all possess the power of imagination, but the ability to express a thought, feeling, or emotion and translate it onto paper, canvas, or any medium, is an uncommon skill. I have great appreciation for the arts, and as a member of the Assembly Committee on People with Disabilities, I was happy to help secure $150,000 for the People Inc. ArtsWork program,” McMahon said. "The program provides an invaluable opportunity to grow more confident, allow for personal expression, and celebrate individuality. With the opening of the ArtsWork Gallery, I'm looking forward to the artists getting to show off their creations, and for art enthusiasts to enjoy them for years to come." 

ArtsWork is integrated across all People Inc. Day Programs and has already provided hundreds of participants with new opportunities for creative expression. Along with painting and drawing, ArtsWork includes pottery, photography, music therapy, creative writing, theater production, dance, horticulture, and more. Engagement in the creative arts offers powerful benefits for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, such as self-expression and self-determination, while fostering meaningful social connections.

“The opening of the ArtsWork gallery will continue to promote inclusion, build self-esteem and provide artists and performers another outlet to share their view and their stories with the community. Our role at People Inc. Day Programs is to meet people where they are – being sure to provide meaningful activities that allow adults to acquire and retain life skills, socialization, and to support people in their journey toward fulfillment,” said Lindsey Rosenberg, People Inc. associate vice president for Day Services.

The ArtsWork Gallery, located in Suite 253 of the Tri-Man Center at 2495 Main Street in Buffalo, is open to the public. Summer hours are 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. 

Scroll through for some photos from the gallery opening: