About the Nonprofit
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The mission of Merchant Street Art Gallery of Artists with Autism is to provide the support that people with autism need to become professional artists who can support themselves with their art. This is accomplished with classes, workshops, open gallery shows, and other community experiences to develop teamwork, social skills, and leadership.
The gallery offers these opportunities for everyone: monthly Art Therapy Workshops, monthly Hands-on Art History, and quarterly Create to Music-an Open Studio evening with a professional pianist who sets the atmosphere. There is also a Gift Shop where art is sold for benefit of artist and gallery.
The specialty of Merchant Street Art Gallery is working with people with Autism. This is a safe environment where the participant does not need to be an accomplished artist to participate, as art is used as a tool to teach art skills, make friends, develop social skills, and have fun with others having similar interests. Autism-friendly teaching methods are used. One of the opportunities for a family to have a person with autism is the free monthly family workshop with an art activity provided for the whole family. Themed art shows exhibiting the art of people with autism are continuously held in the beautiful gallery.
This gallery is one of only four galleries in the United States exhibiting only the art of people with autism. It is housed in a refurbished historic 1907 building where the Gallery and Gift Shop are on the handicap-accessible first floor and up two flights of stairs is a large beautiful studio with workspace for 40 people where classes and workshops are held.
The gallery is a 501(c)3 non-profit.
