Jonathan Pietrzak, one of the artists who will be featured in ADEC’s exhibit, paints by moving a tool similar to a pie server across the canvas. ADEC staff members help by placing paint on the canvases, then Pietrzak takes over from there. The rose in his hands is his most recent piece.

WARSAW — Nine clients of ADEC, an organization dedicated to helping individuals with physical and cognitive disabilities live independent lives, will be featured in an art gallery in Warsaw the entire month of June.

ADEC was originally an acronym for the Association for Disabled of Elkhart County, but has since rebranded. Now it represents its mission; A life of their own, dignity, employment and community. The organization helps clients gain independence by exploring their passions, learning new skills, finding employment opportunities, and interacting with other members of the community.

Michelle Sokol, a communication specialist at ADEC, works closely with clients and has the opportunity to see how art projects impact their progress.

“Art is therapeutic and relaxing. The repetitive motions can be soothing. Some clients are nonverbal and art provides an outlet for them. They aren’t able to tell you how they feel, but they can really show you through their artwork,” she said.

Not only do these pieces provide a method of self expression, they also provide a potential income. ADEC clients put their works up for sale in various places around the area. The organization runs two coffee shops called Gaining Grounds, located in Goshen and Middlebury, where clients can sell paintings, wooden pieces, T-shirts, ceramics, jewelry, baked goods and more. There is also the Art by ADEC store located in Bristol that holds a larger variety of handmade pieces.

Part of the proceeds from these sales go back to ADEC to help provide necessary resources so clients can keep making art.

The rest of the proceeds go to the artists themselves. They receive paychecks from ADEC, which allows them to reach another level of independence.

“Their faces just light up when they get paid. They are so excited that someone finds value in their work and wants to pay them for it,” Sokol said.

Members of the community really do seem to value the work ADEC staff and clients have done. In fact, someone at The Gallery in downtown Warsaw noticed a piece of artwork a client created and invited ADEC to exhibit more pieces throughout the entire month of June.

Although some clients have already had their work featured in the community, Maria Guevara, ADEC’s art coordinator, wanted to showcase artists who haven’t had the chance to strut their stuff yet.

The nine artists included in the upcoming exhibit are Richardo Jose Garcia, Marlin Miller, Buffy Papa, Beth Ann Geyer, Kristopher Hamann, Scott S., Jonathan Pietrzak, Michael Robben and Barbara D.

While this exhibit will have paintings and sculptures, Guevara hopes to expand that one day to include more artists and more styles and media of art.

ADEC staff members have had to get innovative to accommodate their clients needs and stay away from the phrase “I can’t.” They try different tools and methods until they find something that works for each client.
Guevara says that she is constantly looking for new or different styles she can introduce to the clients. For example, someone recently came in and taught the clients how to make sushi. Guevara also hopes that one day ADEC will have its own Etsy shop.

Sokol and Guevara encourage the community to come to the exhibit’s opening reception from 6-8:30 p.m. Friday, June 2.