The Art of Autism, Art and Poems for Peace Project
By Debra Muzikar, with support from associate editor Kisane Prutton
The Art of Autism is a nonprofit organization with a mission to empower autistic people and their families through participation in the Arts. We believe in hiring autistic people, paying them a fair wage, and including them in all aspects of our business. Over half of our board is on the autism spectrum. The majority of people who participate in our arts projects are autistic themselves, but parents and siblings of autistic people also submit to the project. For the last seven years The Art of Autism has asked our readers and artists to submit peace-themed art and poetry for publication on our website and social media in September. We title the project “Art and Poems for Peace”. One of our board members, Keri Bowers, was inspired to start The Art of Autism’s “Art and Poems for Peace” project by talking to a friend in Los Angeles who was involved in a poems for peace project. The Art of Autism board gave Keri our blessing to curate the art and poetry from our readership. The Art of Autism website receives over 100,000 unique views a month.
Each year we visit the United Nations International Day of Peace (September 21) page on their website and convey the theme to our contributors. In 2022, it was “End Racism. Build Peace”. We felt the 2022 United Nations focus on ending racism to be a very important aspiration. We asked our readers to keep the theme in mind when making their contribution. As an international organization we have contributors submitting from countries around the globe, as the following four examples from our “Art and Poems for Peace” show. All four pieces of work are produced by autistic young people.
Emy is 26 years old and from the U.K.
Navneet Kulkarni: End Racism Build Peace
Navneet is 17 years old, non-speaking, and from India
Aidan Burkholder: Art
Aidan is 17 years old and from the U.S.A.
Kabir Vernal: Melting Pot
Kabir is 10 years old and from India
The Art of Autism feels we create a sense of community and purpose with virtual projects like “Art and Poems for Peace”. Often autistic people are isolated. We have a number of projects throughout the year that bring our community together through art and poetry. In March we honor women with our “Women’s History Art Contest”. In February for “Black History Month”, we ask for contributions from African-American people.
The Art of Autism realizes that to make a more equitable world, we need to highlight issues that affect all of us and bring an appreciation for the contribution of diverse communities of people. Autism is often thought to be a white, male condition. In reality, there are many people of color and women who are autistic. On our website we have a section dedicated to Autistics of Color.
The Art of Autism would like to thank Facebook moderator Linish Balan who participated in much of the curation of the 7th Annual Art of Autism “Art & Poems for Peace” project.
To learn more about The Art of Autism visit our website at www.the-art-of-autism.com
Facebook page – www.facebook.com/theartofautism
Instagram – www.instragram.com/artofautism6
Email info@artautism.com
A poem for Peace:
Ode to a Peacebuilder
by Steven E. Handwerker Ph.D., DDiv., RM
Oh Winged Interpreter;
How far you have gone;
Where few have ventured forth.
But where is thy measure?
What is thy measure?
It is not in the world of appearances;
Nor in the world of fame or fortune;
It lives and breathes in the Silent Stillness of your own peaceful Heart;
And in the Hearts of those you have touched.
With your Peace;
A piece of you resides there;
Not for now;
But forever.
Lest we never forget;
Lest we never forget.
This is where true peace always resides.
Dr Steven E Handwerker is a Board Certified Licensed Psychologist (FL, NY, SD) and DDiv. He is founder and CEO of The International Association of the Advancement of Human Welfare, Inc., a 501(c)3 since 1997. His 50 year practice as a board certified clinical and peace psychologist included interfaith group venues, resiliency paradigms for homeland security, and project initiatives for sustainable communities. Dr. Handwerker utilizes common core values as catalysts for promoting peace in individuals and groups. He integrates humanistic, religious/ esoteric, and peace psychology principles in his practice.