Nuvisions for Disabled Artists, Inc. was founded in 1984 as a fully independent 501 (c) (3) organization by the current Executive Director, Kaye E. Schonbach, a disabled artist and psychotherapist. Nuvisions was established to enable physically challenged artists to pursue professional and semi-professional artistic opportunities. Because of their special needs, these artists cannot always participate in many private exhibitions and their work is either omitted or under represented. Very few professional galleries are handicapped accessible. Even when a gallery is accessible, it is difficult for the physically challenged artist to transport and present his or her an work. Many members of Nuvisions have sustained brain injuries and for these individuals even communicating with art galleries is difficult.
Nuvisions serves these artists by sponsoring accessible exhibitions, special projects and educational opportunities in Southeastern Pennsylvanua and Southern New Jersey. Through the efforts of Nuvisions, members have the opportunity to exhibit their work and earn much needed supplemental income, thus empowering physically challenged artists to remain self-sufficient members of the community.
The programs that Nuvisions sponsors demonstrate the abilities and accomplishments of those who are physically challenged. It is a goal of the organization to continue to educate the able-bodied community through exhibitions and demonstrations of the creative and intelligent efforts of physically challenged and visually-impaired artists. The attitudinal barriers of the able-bodied are often more difficult for the disabled person to overcome than the physical barriers they face. By coming together as a group, the artists of Nuvisions experience a shared sensitivity and provide emotional support needed for their professional and personal growth.
Each year, exhibitions and community outreach further the educational message of inclusion for the physically challenged. Since 1984, the group has organized an average of 4 - 6 exhibitions each year and conducted 4 - 8 educational seminars at rehabilitation hospitals, art centers and schools. One Nuvisions member has exhibited at the Smithsonian Institute and several were featured in a documentary by Bodyworks in 1994. Nuvisions artists have been featured in "The Neighbors" section of The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Northeast Times, The Jewish Times, The Jewish Exponent and on television channels 12, 29 and Comcast. Nuvisions for Disabled Artists, Inc. continues to serve as a role model for other physically challenged and visually-impaired individuals of all ages.