Artworks by TURN City Center for the Arts with Tyler Pierce, Katie Felgar, Nic Chidester, and Matt Neilson • Exhibit runs from August 15th to September 24th 2022.

ARTIST STATEMENT: Although some people experience the world differently than others due to differences in abilities, experiences, and opportunities, they still have a need and desire to reflect their experiences through any means available to them. In this case, art. As you view this work, entitled “Impressions, Expressions, and Interests,” we hope that you may see or feel similarities that echo themes and experiences from your own lives. We may find that sometimes, we are not so different after all. Sometimes we express through art how we see the world, or how the world could be seen; with swirling color, dynamic lines, and unorthodox shape. Sometimes our interests help give us focus. Focus on a favorite animal, perhaps, that can help give us purpose in our leisure as we render these magnificent animals in every way we think about them and imagine them. Sometimes, the act of creation itself, as we express through design and color, can calm a troubled mind and excited state of being. Sometimes our inner turmoil and unpredictable emotions can't be put into words, because there are no words, so we express in whatever way we can- through art. Art gives a voice to these indescribable impressions, attractions, feelings, and coping mechanisms, and through this, we can be understood and seen.

ARTIST BIO: TURN City Center for the Arts was the first arts-based day program for adults with disabilities in Utah when it opened in 2012 as a day program within TURN Community Services. TURN is an organization dedicated to choice, quality, and respect for people with disabilities and those who support them. TURN City Center for the Arts is contracted with DSPD, and works with individuals with developmental disabilities and a wide variety of physical needs. Due to the limited physical, behavioral, and cognitive capabilities of many of our artists, we use a variety of adaptive techniques to create art, and are always finding ways to take a different approach to enable our artists to create. Our goal is to help adults with disabilities to enrich their lives through the arts, as we strive to be a place of creative growth and support for our participants. Through providing opportunities to show their work to the public, we hope to provide a continued understanding of this population and the similarities that extend far beyond ability. This exhibit showcases the work of four of our artists.