MDA Art Collection
MDA IS HERE TO HELP

MDA's Art Collection was established in 1992 to focus attention on the achievements of artists with disabilities, and to emphasize that creativity transcends physical disability.

The collection, on permanent display at MDA National Headquarters in Tucson, Ariz., comprises more than 180 original works by adults and children who have any of the 40 neuromuscular disorders in MDA's program. Selections from the collection are frequently featured in shows at galleries, children's museums and other locations across the country.

Artists in the collection range in age from 2 to 82, and many are youngsters and adults with Duchenne and Becker dystrophies. Media include watercolor, oil, acrylic, computer art, ceramics, pen and ink, pastels, cloth, paper, wood, bronze and mixed media.

This youngster, who has DMD, enjoys painting. The painting (above right) and computer art (below right) were also created by young men with DMD.

The artwork deals with a broad range of topics, from pets to nature scenes to the artists' feelings about living with a disability. The art program offers a constructive way for youngsters to explore their emotions, experiences and talents.

Adult artists donate works to the MDA Art Collection. Many works by children were created during Association-sponsored art workshops or at MDA summer camps.

Call the health care service coordinator at your local MDA office to find out about scheduling an art workshop, or if your child would like to donate a work to the MDA Art Collection.