Ability Beyond Musical Group To Display Artwork In Danbury
DANBURY — A group of men who formed a musical group at the Ability Beyond Day Program in Bethel are preparing to share their latest artistic creations.
Members of The Get Around Crew — Ken Barrachina, Seyid “Tony” Hosseini, Zach Dallas, and Sam Plourde, along with new members Mike Massa and Ron Finley — will display their artwork at A Common Ground Community Arts Center, 33 Crosby Street in Danbury, January 17-February 27.
An opening reception is planned for Friday, January 17, from 5:30 until 8 pm. The public is invited, free of charge.
The works can then be viewed Monday to Thursday, between 4:45 and 7:30 pm, until February 27.
Pete Sullivan, SIL program manager at Ability Beyond, says the men “not only make beautiful music but beautiful artwork as well.
“This showcase features ten pieces from their most recent eight-week course at Georgetown School of the Arts in West Redding,” he added.
The recent session was the second time the group had the privilege to work with Susan Jackson, owner and art instructor of Georgetown School of the Arts, according to Mr Sullivan. The group previously displayed an entire collection of their art at the “Healing Through Art” exhibit and fundraiser at the RPAC Art Center in Ridgefield. The presentation was done in September after their first multi-week session.
Mr Sullivan helped produce the group’s CD, called Joint Venture, along with a music video. The EP features three original songs. All music was arranged and lyrics were written by the group, but the foursome only lends their voices to the rap song.
“Our [Acquired Brain Injury] program is directed by the interests of the individuals who participate and these guys are all creative,” explained Mr Sullivan. “Music and visual arts have been a huge part of their recovery.”
Ability Beyond is a 501(c)(3)organization headquartered in Chappaqua, N.Y., and Bethel, Conn. It provides a wide range of services for over 3,000 people with a disability that inhibits their activities of daily living — including numerous residential alternatives, employment training, career counseling, job placement services, cognitive and life skills instruction, clinical and therapeutic support, and volunteer and recreational activities.
Its services extend throughout Connecticut and New York’s lower Hudson Valley. For more information about Ability Beyond visit abilitybeyond.org.