Strokes of Genius

"Strokes of Genius celebrates the brilliant artwork of people on the autism spectrum. It provides a venue where the public can learn about the artistic abilities of these individuals."                                (Temple Grandin) 

 

From the United Nations to the White House - We have created awareness! 

Strokes of Genius (SOG) celebrates abilities! The specific and primary purpose of SOG is to educate and empower individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) by promoting the artistic abilities in contrast to the disabilities. SOG builds and supports these artistic talents through the provision of educational professional art studio experiences and workshops to “Train the Talent℠” and further expand opportunities toward inclusion and independence as a vehicle for the individual’s livelihood.

Strokes of Genius strives to further expand opportunities for individuals with autism who are impaired socially, verbally, behaviorally and for those with a “love” or “obsession” in creating art by providing a vehicle for them  to be able to express themselves, as well as generate income from their creativity.  Due to the characteristic disabilities of some individuals with ASD, many may be unemployable and the existing employment opportunities are also extremely limited. In addition, often times a family is overwhelmed with the care-taking of their autistic child, and opportunities to create a livelihood for their talented yet extremely challenged child are impossible to attain. 

Strokes of Genius, Inc. seeks to empower the individual, train the talent and showcase and sell the artists’ works “by the artist” and “for the artist”. All proceeds from the sales of artworks go directly back to the individual artist.

World recognized author and artist with autism, Donna Williams has this to say about Strokes of Genius, Inc :

"Strokes of Genius is more than a metaphor about Savant artists. It has been the brain child of accomplished Special Education specialist, Dr Rosa Martinez who has a passionate commitment to both autism and ARTism. Through Strokes of Genius she has been the committed, reliable, trustworthy and supportive curator of a multitude of high profile art exhibitions of high quality artworks by savant artists of all ages. She has nurtured new artists in their artistic development, has sought out and facilitated publishing opportunities for their works and progressively helped take autism arts to a higher level of social recognition. This doesn't just give self esteem, purpose and opportunity to those artists. It gives society an opportunity to learn about autism through autistic artists and to learn about the personhood of those with autism, expressed through their works. This helps challenge stereotypes and assumptions, builds bridges, breaks down walls. The works of the artists represented by Dr Martinez also inspire those at large to dare find, express or further develop the artist within themselves. Art is a non-verbal language. Whether through its colors, textures, movement, patterns, subject or styles, the art of those with autism speaks directly to the soul. The art is an act of observation, imagination, expression, communication and in its sharing it is a social communication. What better goals can there be to achieve for those on the autism spectrum. What better model can they set for their peers. I urge you to explore these artists and their works, to be inspired and connect." Donna Williams