“A Beautiful Spectrum”

SPIN Partners with the Mural Arts Program

As a designated Philadelphia Autism Center of Excellence, SPIN has been selected to partner with the Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services (DBH/IDS) and the City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program for a project entitled, “a Beautiful Spectrum.”   

SPIN is hosting art making workshops as an adjunct to our weekly Social Skills Treatment Groups.  Within these workshops, youth with Autism and their families create art in that will shape the design of a mural that will celebrate the creativity and imagination of Philadelphia’s Autism community.  SPIN is pleased to be working with two local artists on “a Beautiful Spectrum.”  The artists, Phillip Adams (www.phillipadams.com) and Natalie Wieters, are working with the youth and families, capturing the essence of their experiences as persons impacted by Autism.  They, along with Project Manager, Will Pace, are collaborating with staff from SPIN’s Behavioral & Developmental Services Department on this exciting project.  In addition to the final mural, the project hopes to generate art pieces for permanent display and potentially produce a book with their beautiful, artistic images.  

The best news of all, SPIN has just been notified that the finished mural will be placed on one of SPIN’s children’s buildings at the Frankford Campus!  What excitement!

Through its Porch Light Program, Mural Arts “places art at the heart of community wellness.”  Since 2007, the partnership between the Mural Arts Program and DBH/IDS has resulted in 18 completed projects, including 17 large-scale murals, and six ongoing mural projects across Philadelphia that offer opportunities for connection between individuals in behavioral health services, families, service providers, the broader community, and city government to foster connections and increase people’s awareness of behavioral health concerns.  Mural Arts creates spectacular pieces of art that grace our city and often educate about important issues. 

Above are some pictures of the group in action, 

see samples of our youth’s work, and follow the progress of “a Beautiful Spectrum.”  Stay tuned to this site for other art-making opportunities and your chance to contribute to the creation of “a Beautiful Spectrum.” 

Thanks to our partners at DBH/IDS and the Mural Arts Program for supporting a life of possibilities.