Tom Wade, artist, creates cover art for anniversary
Ticket Sales are Strong – Buy your tickets online!
With three weeks until Monarch Housing Associates September 30, 2010, 20th Anniversary Celebration – Building Homes, Transforming Lives, we have received many positive comments about the cover art work for our invitation.
The art work is the result of a partnership with Arts Unbound, a non-profit organization dedicated to the artistic achievement of youth, adults and senior citizens with disabilities. As a result of this partnership Monarch Housing was able to commission Tom Wade to create the artwork for the invitation.
Tom Wade became interested in art at an early age. In the 1980’s he went to Jersey City State College to pursue a BFA. Although he did not graduate, art was still something he loved and did.
In 1995 Tom was in a motor vehicle accident which left him a paraplegic. He spent the next few years adjusting to his new life and battling numerous medical issues that were related to his spinal cord injury. During this time Tom went back to school, and despite many obstacles, graduated from Seton Hall University with a degree in Education/Special Education. Although this was a fine accomplishment Tom felt something was missing – art. Even though, initially, the injury somewhat diminished Tom’s creative drive, his love of art continued and in 2007 he became an active participant in the Arts Unbound program which was sponsored by The Kessler Foundation. Since that time Tom has grown as an artist – he has become a commissioned artist, an art instructor, and class assistant at AU.
Tom’s recent works include colored pencil still lives and small, pen and ink drawings. The colored pencils are loosely drawn in which free lines make layers of color and become subject matter themselves. The pen and ink drawings are most intriguing as they are made up of stream of consciousness “doodles” that have hidden and autobiographical imagery. Their subject many times relates to being handicapped.
Over the years Tom’s disability enabled his art to develop and unfold and his love of art has helped him to cope with his disability.
We applaud Tom Wade for his talent and creativity.
Ticket sales have been very strong for the 20th Anniversary Celebration – Building Homes, Transforming Lives. To insure that you can attend we strongly encourage you to purchase your tickets online today by clicking here.
