
Left to right: Davon Johnson of Bridgeport, Carmella Vallelunga of Shelton, Robert Robles of Bridgeport, Anthony Martinez of Bridgeport, and Richard Sebastian of Shelton, President and CEO of The Kennedy Center.
Artists and participants in The Kennedy Center MDAC (Maggie Daly Arts Co-operative) recently made a big splash in the Big Apple.
MDAC was invited to be a part of a major exhibit from Feb. 2 until Feb. 27. Eight MDAC artists currently have their drawings on display in MoMA’s “Items: Is Fashion Modern?” exhibit, which examines fashion trends and their cultural significance.
The featured artists include Carmella Vallelunga, of Shelton.
The exhibit is on view to the public at the Education and Research Building during regular museum hours. MoMA (The Museum of Modern Art) is located at 11 West 53rd Street, New York City.
In addition, Kennedy Center artists debuted an original music video by MDAC’s own Ouch! Band at the exhibit’s opening reception in New York City on Feb. 6. The band collaborated with MDAC artists and MoMA’s Rebecca Goyette to bring their original song, Rat Woman to life. This entertaining presentation was part of MoMA’s Access Partnership program, entitled MIXTAPE.
Stephanie Campbell of Fairfield, MDAC’s Project Manager noted, “It was awesome for The Kennedy Center to celebrate the universal language of art in New York City – one of the largest cultural centers in the country and the world. “
Richard Sebastian of Shelton, President and CEO of The Kennedy Center stated, “I accompanied our artists and staff to the grand opening celebration and was extremely touched and inspired by the amazing talent our Kennedy Center artists have shared with the public.”
The Kennedy Center’s relationship with MoMA and Rebecca Goyette, MoMA educator, began in 2012. Since then, artists from The Kennedy Center regularly travel to New York City on a quarterly basis to visit the museum for a guided tour of exhibits, followed by an art activity, and lunch in the Cullman Education Center. In turn, Rebecca has visited MDAC to facilitate workshops as part of the Center’s Guest Airtight Program.

Some of the artwork on display.
The Museum of Modern Art was founded on the beliefs that engagement with art can enhance and vitalize everyday living, that a visit to the Museum should be an opportunity to find both meaning and pleasure in experiences with art, and that art helps us learn more about ourselves, the world, and our place in it. MoMA’s Community and Access Programs carries forth the beliefs and seeks to ensure that these experiences are available to as wide an audience as possible. Through the Access Partnerships initiative they collaborate with over 40 community-based organizations throughout New York City to create space for New Yorkers with disabilities to express themselves and be seen, heard, and valued.
The work on view presents a selection of recent work created through these partnerships. As the title MIXTAPE suggests, the exhibition is not meant to present a unified vision or voice, but rather to showcase the diversity of personalities, interests, and experiences of the individuals who participate in these programs.
MDAC is a unique initiative established by The Kennedy Center that provides an innovative environment where individuals with disabilities can learn, create and benefit by participating in a multi-faceted arts program. MDAC supports over 20 creative artists, who attend expressive arts programs, in addition to a yoga, dance and Tai-Chi. MDAC is located in the Read’s Artspace, formerly Read’s Department Store, in downtown Bridgeport at 1042 Broad Street.
Talented artists age 21 and older from Fairfield and New Haven Counties are selected from Kennedy Center programs and other programs in the community for their interest and passion for the arts. Transportation is provided by The Kennedy Center as well as public transportation with the Center’s Travel Training program. New referrals are welcome.
Contact Stephanie Campbell at 203 – 690-1609 or scampbell@kennedyctr.org for more information.
MDAC is open Monday through Friday. Some of the activities include: visual arts and mixed media, painting, cartooning, photography, weaving, ceramics, music, movement, meditation, and yoga classes as well as outings to museums and art galleries.
The Kennedy Center, founded in 1951, is an internationally accredited, not-for-profit, Community Rehabilitation organization that currently supports over 2,000 individuals and their families annually. The agency actively responds to the needs of the community by offering innovative, comprehensive service options to persons with disabilities across the lifespan from birth to senior years.
The Kennedy Center employs more than 700 people and operates 31 Community Experience programs, 16 group homes, six business enterprises, supported and competitive employment and job placement services, including supported and competitive employment, a family support and respite service, travel training, and a variety of children’s programs.
Visit www.thekennedycenterinc.org for more information.