Celebrating art, disability, creativity, and inclusion
For many years, the McKeen Center has decorated the high walls in Bannister Hall with works created by artists associated with a Brunswick nonprofit that supports adults with intellectual disabilities.
All the pieces in the McKeen Center are for sale. Spindleworks, which handles the sales, keeps 25 percent to purchase art supplies and gives 75 percent of the sale price to artists.
Megan Birnbaum, the McKeen Center's department coordinator, said the campus show reflects the McKeen Center's appreciation for the organization, as well as Bowdoin's long partnership with Spindleworks.
“We are grateful to host this celebration of art, disability, creativity, and inclusion,” she said.
Some of the artists attended the opening and were happy to answer questions about their inspiration and processes. Robin Albert said she's been painting at Spindleworks since 1981, five years after the organization was founded by Nan Ross.
Albert said she's most drawn to working with flowers because of their variety of colors, but is going to tackle a donkey for her next piece.
Dianna Oliver had two paintings in the show: "Fancy," of a red high-heeled shoe, and "Booklets,” inspired by her love of shapes, especially squares. "I like squares. I'm a square lady!" she said.
In May, the Bowdoin College Museum of Art will open its first Spindleworks show.
