Montreal studio for neurodiverse artists to hold June exhibit

Artists from the Wagar Adult Education Centre are hoping to redefine art history.

That’s partly why you’ll find students like Victoria McIntosh mid-brush stroke on most given weekdays.

When at the art studio, “I feel like I escape from my reality,” McIntosh says.

From painting and printing, to cartooning to collages, those in the Art Seen program get more than a studio. They get something else to focus on.

“When I came to the center, I improved my art. It’s a lot of work and I put my effort into it,” says Matthew Brotherwood, another artist in the program.

The partnership through Montreal’s Visual Arts Centre and the EMSB helps neurodiverse artists to hone their craft. Program lead Anna Persichilli says it also instills the skills required to run an art business.

Now, with an upcoming exhibit at the McClure Gallery from June 12 to 22, it’s all hands on deck. It’s also a push to change the narrative.

“There’s a lot of groups that are, you know, were not included in art history. For the next exhibit, one of the themes, it’s called ‘the reconstructed.’ So the students are basically ripping up old art history books [...] and repurposing them [...] sort of to say, like, I’m here and I want to be included,” says Persichilli.

The idea of inclusion hits home for many in the adult education program.

“Art has given me a voice,” says student Lisa Potter.

“I feel like I belong here,” artist Juliette Plamondon chimed in.

“I’m really enjoying myself in this. I love the arts centre,” artist Jonathan Pepin told CTV.

As a social integration teacher, Persichilli says the benefits for her students go even further given their Westmount location.

“We need to also teach social skills, work skills, and this is a good setting because the students will go to Metro, go buy their stuff. If they want coffee, they’ll go to Olimpico or Myriad and go, you know, order it on their own. And so it creates a lot of independence,” Persichilli says.

Meanwhile, the group remains focused on the ultimate challenge - solidifying their independent artist careers.