PORT ANGELES — Clallam Mosaic artists will display their artwork at the Port Angeles Library starting tonight.
More than 20 artists from Clallam Mosaic will showcase their work tonight at the library’s quarterly Art Blast! event with an artist reception starting at 6:30 p.m. and live music provided by Seattle-based septet En Canto at 7 p.m. The library is at 2210 S. Peabody St.
Clallam Mosaic is a nonprofit organization that has provided clients with developmental disabilities and their families/caregivers a variety of programs for life-long education, leisure and recreation for 20 years.
One of the programs it offers to its clients is art classes exploring a range of mediums, from collaborative woven textile baskets and paper mache sculptures to abstract watercolor paintings and unique mixed-media self-portraits. Two art classes are offered in Port Angeles and one in Sequim.
The artwork created by Clallam Mosaic artists will remain on exhibit through July 24.
Clallam Mosaic Executive Director Priya Jayadev said this art show is a way to increase public awareness of the talents of people with developmental disabilities.
“This [art show] showcases their ability,” Jayadev said.
One of her wishes is to have a traveling show in the future at local businesses “to expand awareness of ability beyond disability.”
Greta Hanson, a co-art instructor for Clallam Mosaic art classes in Port Angeles, said all of the artists at Clallam Mosaic are passionate about their work.
“The artists at Clallam Mosaic are very enthusiastic,” Hanson said. “They are very dedicated and hardworking at what they do.”
She said this art show is a great way for many of the artists to get recognition for their work. Each artist has one piece that will be featured in the show.
“I think the public will really enjoy this art because it gives a flavor for the developmentally disabled community,” Hanson said. “I don’t know if they often get recognized as artists but they definitely are.”
The Port Angeles Main Library is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and closed Sundays.
To learn more about Clallam Mosaic, visit http://www.clallammosaic.org/.
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Erin Hawkins is a reporter with the Olympic Peninsula News Group, which is composed of Sound Publishing newspapers Peninsula Daily News, Sequim Gazette and Forks Forum. Reach her at ehawkins@sequimgazette.com.
