Jessica Dounel to Exhibit at The WAE Open
First Juried Art Show for the Heidi Gallery at JSDD
Jessica Dounel, a New Providence resident, is pleased to announce she will be exhibiting her painting, entitled Self Portrait, at The WAE Open, the first juried exhibition at the Heidi Gallery at Jewish Service for the Developmentally Disabled (JSDD), 310 Eisenhower Parkway, Livingston. The exhibition runs from October 20 to December 15, 2022, and includes 45 works from 33 artists from New Jersey and the tri-state area. Exhibit admission is free and the Gallery is open from 9 to 5 Monday to Friday and by appointment.
Dounel writes, “Being creative makes me feel happy and is a great way to express my emotions. I’m so grateful to be an artist. I am proud and honored to have the opportunity to share my creations with more people in my community at the upcoming WAE Open juried show.”
The WAE Open’s Opening Reception was held on Thursday, October 20, at which time the Exhibit’s Best in Show Award winner was announced. The Artists’ Tour and Closing Reception will be held Sunday, December 11, from 2 to 5 p.m. Contact the Gallery at 201-341-0797 or Monica@jsdd.org to register to attend the receptions.
Diedra Harris-Kelly, MFA, who is Juror for The WAE Open, says, “It was an honor to work with the first juried show of the Heidi Gallery and juror the first-ever WAE Open. The artworks chosen for this exhibition show a variety of contemporary topics and techniques – photography, collage, ink drawings, encaustic paintings, and ceramic sculptural forms. Many works employ traditional mediums that push boundaries and reorient ways of seeing.”
Harris-Kelly is an arts administrator who co-directs the Romare Bearden Foundation. She has extensive curatorial experience with photography, painting, archival prints, and contemporary art.
About Jessica Dounel
Dounel has been taking private art lessons for 4 years. She enjoys trying new techniques and materials and creating art with many different colors. She is influenced by the things she sees around her in the world and feels inspired by looking at the work of professional artists. Dounel loves creating art and feels that becoming an artist has helped to build her self-confidence in all areas of life. Making art helps to make her feel happy and is a great way for her to express her emotions.
About The Heidi Gallery and JSDD’s WAE Center
Established in 2021 as part of Jewish Service for the Developmentally Disabled (JSDD) new state-of-the-art facility, the Heidi Gallery is focused on bringing people together to experience art and arts education while fostering a fully inclusive community. The Gallery is a 2,000-square-foot space with moveable walls, thus allowing for the broadest range and diversity of media.
JSDD’s WAE (Wellness, Arts, Enrichment) Center is a holistic arts learning program for adults with developmental disabilities. Dedicated to “Finding the Spark Within,” WAE’s focus is on the personal growth of its members. WAE believes in meeting individuals where they are and supporting them as they identify and achieve their personal goals and, by embracing these humanistic principles, WAE guides members in building a greater capacity to live a full life. Visit online at jsddmetrowest.org/Heidi-gallery.
Courtesy photo
