Image credit: Efrat Vaknin, photographed by Ron Uriel

Take a closer look at the themes of the RE/Configurations exhibition at “Widening the Lens on Disability,” a sneak peek at film “Code of the Freaks” and a panel discussion of disability art and dynamics, with distinguished panelists Dr. Carrie Sandahl, Jerron Herman, Anthony Ptak, and Christopher Preissing, and with Milenka Berengolc as moderator.

Newhouse Center for Contemporary Art (Buildings C&G)
7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Event Admission: Free with gallery admission

RE/Configurations: art, disability, identity is a major exhibition, guest curated by Milenka Berengolc (project originator) and Margaret Chase, that is part of “Artists Undeterred,” a forum for disabled artists who exemplify bold vision and distinctive execution, and provides an expanded frame of reference for general audiences.

The project explores the multi-faceted relationship of disability vis-à-vis contemporary art, through the lens of creators and producers who are disabled and whose work addresses disability. Featured artists include Gema Alava, Robin Bartholick, Milenka Berengolc, Jamie Berube, Erika Boudreau-Barbee, Lisa Bufano, Monica Chulewicz, DisArt, Susan Dupor, Ryan Haddad, Antoine Hunter, Riva Lehrer, Mandem, Leroy Moore Jr., Carmen Papalia, Anthony Ptak, Gordon Sasaki, Judith Scott, Charles Steffen, Sunaura Taylor, Efrat Vaknin, Wheelchair Sports Camp, Wobbly Dance, and Chun-Shan (Sandie) Yi.

Co-curator Milenka Berengolc has curated 2 major exhibitions/projects: “Life as Art”, at the Viepo Gallery, Staten Island, New York; “Healing/Transforming”, at the Snug Harbor Studios, Snug Harbor Cultural Center, Staten Island; and collaborated on a curatorial project “CURA”. She holds an MFA from Bard College in video and performance. As a performance artist and actor, she has showcased original material via numerous venues and collaborations such as the Brooklyn Museum, the State Museum of New York, Albany, New York, and the Newhouse Center for Contemporary Art, Staten Island, New York.

Co-curator Margaret Chase has worked in exhibition development and interpretation, public programming and education at the New York Hall of Science, Fraunces Tavern Museum, Brooklyn Children’s Museum, the Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art, and the Science Museum of Minnesota, where she was an artist-in-residence and coordinated the museum theatre program. She also served as Vice President of the International Museum Theatre Alliance. Margaret holds a BFA Theatre from Boston University School for the Arts.

RE/Configurations contains mature content. The co-curators gratefully acknowledge that this exhibition is made possible in part by a DCA Art Fund Grant from Staten Island Arts, with public funding from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs. It is also sponsored in part by a Humanities New York Quick Grant, with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities; and by the following:

Brooklyn Center for Independence of the Disabled; Pride Center of Staten Island; United Spinal Association – New York City Chapter; Kershner, Grosso & Co.; Angelica Patient Assistance Program/OPEN DOORS; Curtis High School; Staten Island Center for Independent Living; J’s on the Bay; Materials for the Arts; International Sports and Music Project Inc.; Staples, Inc. (1520 Forest Avenue, SI); Steven Wakeman; Zach Grenier and Lynn Bailey; and Go Fund Me donors (to date): Patricia & Jeff Rosen, Katie Eichhorn, Julie Ridge, Vivian Vassar, Jason Steinberg, and Susan King. Special thanks to Dr. Carrie Sandahl, project advisor; Mary Campbell, Graphics; and Kimbra Eberly, Marketing.

All exhibits and artist talks are located in the Newhouse Center for Contemporary Art (Buildings C & G).  Admission is $5 ($4 students/seniors).  Spring – Autumn hours are Thurs-Fri 12:00 – 7:00 PM and Sat – Sun 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM.