UNIQUE Aboutthe ArtistsJoseph Rufo, Neighbor!: Joseph is 18, lives inFayetteville and has Down Syndrome. He likes playingbasketball, lifting weights, and follows many New Yorksports teams. “Neighbor!” is a painting that expresseshis appreciation of humor. UNIQUE 2010Charles Serway, Rise of the Harvest Moon: Charles,42, has a background as a draftsman at SerwayBrothers Cabinetmaking. He is a member of the DavidClark Learning Center, a program of Transitional LivingServices. “Rise of the Harvest Moon” is a watercolorimpression and collage of the moon over a cornfield.First YearEyal Sherman, Home Sweet Home: Eyal, 30, hasa BFA from Syracuse University. He has been aquadriplegic since he was 5, when he was diagnosedwith a brain stem tumor. He believes each day is anopportunity for greater growth. “Home Sweet Home”was painted using a mouth-stick and celebrates familyand life. UNIQUE 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010Samantha Skinner, Always Survive: Samantha is15 and enjoys horseback riding. She uses poetry toexpress emotions and feelings and to help herselfand others through difficult times. “Always Survive” isabout personal determination and prevailing throughstruggle. First YearMelissa Sorar, The Old Man in the Woods: Melissais 18 and lives in Fulton. She has Reflex SympatheticDystrophy Syndrome and a learning disability. Sheenjoys writing and using her imagination. “The OldMan in the Woods” is a sculpture based on a storyshe wrote about learning to love animals and nature.First YearKristen Stosal, The Jimmie Johnson Stick: Kristenis 27 and loves participating in the art program atHeritage Farm. “The Jimmie Johnson Stick” is awalking stick carved with a dolphin and the number ofJimmie Johnson, her favorite Nascar driver. First YearRobert Szpak, Pale Lady with Colors and Shapes:Robert, 62, lives in Syracuse and has SchizoaffectiveDisorder. He has been creating art since high school.“Pale Lady with Colors and Shapes” is inspired by thework of Amedeo Modigliani and shows the strength ofthe female subject. UNIQUE 2008, 2009, 2010Emily Rose Terry, Basically Emily: Emily is 18, isfascinated by music and colors, and has Tourette’sSyndrome, Attention Deficit Disorder and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Art allows her to express herselfin ways words cannot. “Basically Emily” is a computergenerateddrawing. First YearErika Vitthuhn, Frog Pond: Erika is 27 and a memberof the David Clark Learning Center, a program ofTransitional Living Services. “Frog Pond” is inspired byher love of frogs, an animal she has enjoyed since shewas young. UNIQUE 2006, 200931Karen Voas, HELP: Karen, 41, is a member of theDavid Clark Learning Center, a program of TransitionalLiving Services. She loves to knit, and has donatedmany scarves to the CYO. “HELP” is a plaster castsculpture that is the American Sign Language sign forthe word “help.” First YearDonna Walrath, Miss Grandma Donna looks on:Donna, 60, began writing after attending a creativewriting course at her library. She has published shortstories, and began creating poetry at the suggestionof a friend. Her poem was written as an answer to aquestion posed by her granddaughter and reflects thechanging seasons. First YearElizabeth Watson, Love: Lizzie is an 18-year oldstudent at Fayetteville-Manlius High School. She hasCerebral Palsy and a seizure disorder. “Love” depictsfriendship, caring, and an inspiration to overcometroubles. UNIQUE 2009Kristen Webb, Spring Flowers: Kristen is 26, hasCerebral Palsy, and lives in Manlius. She enjoysattending the Syracuse University Access program.She finds that completing a painting gives her a senseof accomplishment. “Spring Flowers” was painted froma bouquet of flowers picked from her parents’ garden.UNIQUE 2010Stacy Weimer, Patch Work: Stacy, 23, lives inChittenango and enjoys many outdoor activities,including horseback riding and skiing. She usescrafting to relax. “Patch Work” was inspired by hergrandmother, and made from donated squares thatshe sewed together. First YearAlanna Wiediger, You and Me: Alanna is 13 andlives in Rome. She has been writing since she was 8and uses poetry to express her feelings. “You and Me”reflects growing apart in one aspect of a relationshipwhile growing together in another. First YearTimothy Wobus, Tempest 2011: Timothy is 27, livesin Manlius area, has Autism and is non-verbal. Heplays the piano and is a prolific artist. “Tempest 2011”depicts a stormy seascape and uses his typical broadbrush strokes and bold use of color. UNIQUE 2006,2007, 2008, 2010Tanner Woodland, Music Stands Alone: Tanner is 34and a member of the David Clark Learning Center, aprogram of Transitional Living Services. “Music StandsAlone” is a watercolor impression and collage inspiredby his love of classical music. UNIQUE 2002, 2006,2007Virginia Zabel, Signs of Spring: Virginia, 64, isa member of the David Clark Learning Center, aprogram of Transitional Living Services. “Signs ofSpring” is a watercolor impression and collage whichcaptures the love of nature instilled in her by herfather. First Year
UNIQUE HonorableMentionThe UNIQUE Editorial Board wishes to recognize the talent and creativity of the artists andwriters for the following submissions:Shannon’s Christmas PillowThe Funky Colors by Lindsay Mitchellby Shannon BachmanMidnight Eagle by Ted NicholsonMother and Baby by Peggy BrillTwilight Meadow by Laura PayteTony by Maggie ByrnesFrog Man by Shawn PlunkettThe Happy Farm by Elizabeth CareyParrot Talking to ButterfliesTyler by Tyler Ciaelloby Oramella PutmanSpring by Ian CoeApril by Amber RobinsonThe White Walls by Mary CooganThe Piano by Hannah RufoSpring by Hilary CookhouseHunting Time by Christopher SaarIf it was all up to me... by Ashlie Delee My Best Friend Danny by Erica SorarThe Easter Bunny is Coming to Town All X’s are Kisses by Charlie Sullivanby Suzanne DeMarzoWinter is Life by Amanda TownsendThe Spring of Life by Douglas DraughnUnique Graffiti by Anastasia VanceSunflower by Theodora EmchBegging Eyes by Samuel WayneMy Favorite Animals by Alivia EusepiRolling Heavens by Josh WebsterPussywillows Still Life by Vivian GoldingFor A.R.C. by Melissa WoolmanDeath by Kim GrindleA Day in Nature Watching Ducksby Jodie GunthorpeObelisk with Shining Jewel by BrianHaherChild’s Life by Robert HarmonChristine’s Heart by Roger HenleyUnnamed Poem (But to all Fathers)by Mary HollingsworthA Family by Rosella HoughtalingFaces of Cheetahs by PaLeigh IannerilliFlowers by Bonnie LightaulUntitled by Patty LyonCharlie Brown by Jane MailletThe End of the Diagnosis by Joanne MarkNight Owls by Dick McCarthyHappy Me by Matthew McCrohan32
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