These are the visual artists who will be featured at Mainly Mozart Mozart & The Mind Events 2019. Curation is through the Art of Autism nonprofit. Events will be May 30 – June 2 in the San Diego area.
ALEX NICHOLS
Alex Nichols is a free style weaver who follows the Japanese concept of wabi-sabi, which represents embracing imperfection. Using a Saori loom and various hand weaving techniques, Alex creates wild and free wall hangings mixing textures and vibrant colors using yarn and unconventional materials such as strips of fabric from clothing like Aloha shirts, wire ribbon, jewelry, and toys. Alex is an artist with special needs who expresses himself through weaving and painting. See more about Alex on his website.
AMOAKO BUACHIE
Brookyln-based Amoako Buachie is an artist with autism and a profound gift and love for painting. He was raised by his mother, Akosua Mainu, who migrated to the U.S from Ghana in 1986. In 2010 and 2011, Amoako’s paintings “My Friend Andre” and “Day Dreamer Boy” won the NYC Department of Education Art Competition. In 2013, the McCarton Foundation featured several of Amoako’s paintings at the Port Authority of New York. He was nominated for the 2013 Genius of Autism Award. In 2014 Amoako won the prestigious VSA contest entitled The Journey and his art was displayed at the Smithsonian and also throughout the United States at various museums. In 2018 his art was featured at the World Autism Awareness – “Don’t ‘dis’ the Ability” exhibition in New York City. He attends Mozart & The Mind events with Rosa Martinez, Ph.D., founder of Strokes of Genius.
AUSTIN JOHN JONES
Austin John Jones has been an aspiring artist ever since he was 5 years old, drawing all the time in the classroom. Very early on he went under the mentorship of French painter Sophie Plassard, where he learned under her tutoring for 12 years doing mostly drawing and painting. Because of this, Austin has a great amount of experience in oil painting. After graduating high school, Austin went to Art Center College of Design where he graduated with a degree in illustration and a minor in entertainment art. Austin loves cartoons, movies, video games, and almost everything entertainment. He has been a dedicated artist all his life, and has been teaching what he has learned to people of all ages ever since he graduated college. Austin graduated from the Teaching Artist Institute and has shown his work locally in San Diego County for the last five years. Visit his website here.
DANE CAPO
Dane Capo is a 23-year old native Californian. Dane primarily grew up in the beach culture of Hermosa Beach. Dane’s challenges began when he was diagnosed with epilepsy at 10 months old and were compounded when he was found to have autism at age five. He began his education in Hermosa Beach Schools but his father’s career took the Capo family all over the world. Consequently, Dane’s schooling included classrooms in Hawaii, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Dane first started painting when he was studying art history and the Great Masters with one of his homeschool teachers, Amanda. Dane was quickly inspired to try and paint his own version of Matisse’s self portrait and the results were extraordinary. Today, after numerous art shows, media coverage, exhibits, meeting Ringo Starr and sharing his art, selling a painting to The Schwab Family, Dane continues to create more of his own Masterpieces. When not Painting Dane enjoys shopping, gardening and wandering around Los Angeles. Dane’s website is www.danecapo.com
GRANT MANIER
Grant Maniér (maun-yay), a young talented Texas-based Eco-Artist combines his two worlds: autism and art. His obsession with paper became his form of art therapy. Grant is changing the perceptions of how to reduce, reuse, and recycle by creating extraordinary collages using thousands of pieces of recycled calendars, magazines, posters, puzzles and more. From an owl made from movie posters to dolphins crafted with applesauce lids, Grant is raising the awareness and beauty of recycling. Today Grant is an award-winning artist and advocate, capturing the attention of national media and honored with awards multiple times for his Eco-impressionism as well as his outstanding contribution to the community. Grant brings his visual art exhibit and literacy program into schools and organizations teaching the importance of environmental responsibility through his art and new children’s book: Grant the Jigsaw Giraffe and friends. Visit Grant’s website here.
IKEA ‘SYANCE’ WILSON
I am Ikea “Syance” Wilson and I was born on September 1, 1993. I’ve wanted to become a professional/ famous artist and musician the majority of my life. This dream began to come true as soon as I attended California State University, Bakersfield (CSUB) in 2012. Throughout college, I have been able to participate in various activities including hosting my
own art show and playing the piano at Ebenezer Baptist Church and Disciples of Christ Ministry. Also, after I graduated from CSUB in spring 2016, I decided to attend Inclusion Films in Bakersfield the following semester. Ever since I began going there, I have been commissioned to
do various drawings for both staff and my classmates. Finally, I was able to work behind the scenes during the preproduction and postproduction of several of our thesis films by assisting with art department, grip and electric (lighting) and editing.
J.A. TAN
J.A. Tan, a Vancouver based visual artist, joined the United Nations stamp design club when his artwork “Victory” was issued as a United Nations stamp for World Autism Awareness Day in 2012. Chosen from over 200 worldwide submissions “Victory” echoes his vision as an artist. Born and raised in the Philippines, J.A. moved to Vancouver in 2006 when he was accepted at Emily Carr University of Art and Design where he completed his Bachelor of Fine Arts in May 2010. J.A. Tan’s praxis includes painting, drawing, and collage. Most recently he has been painting on pineapple fabric from the Philippines which international fashion designers have transformed into wearable art. For his art pieces, he uses, acrylic, oil, black ink, pastel, pencil, crayons, and mixed media. J.A. recently completed an animation project through collaboration with The Art of Autism and the University of Exeter in their Exploring Diagnosis project. To view J.A.’s art and projects visit his virtual art gallery at www.artofjatan.com
JOEL ANDERSON
Artist, author, international speaker and philanthropist who is known as The Artist of Smiles from Fallbrook, California, Joel Anderson creates his art in acrylic, mixed media, digital media, animation, and video production. Joel’s heart is to bring a smile to everyone who sees his artwork and video productions. As a sought after keynote speaker, Joel is an international artist and ambassador with autism who has spoken in Peru, China2X, Canada, and across the United States. One of Joel’s favorite projects was being hired to create his animation “How Germs Spread” now used across Africa to encourage safe water habits. Proceeds from art sales support “Smile Bags” which he created to fill backpacks with arts supplies that Joel gives to children on his journeys and with the foundations he supports. Joel’s art has been featured at The California Museum in Sacramento; H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III Cultural & Art Museum in Covina; The Soho Gallery for Digital Art in NYC; The Art Works in Washington DC; The Rancho Sante Fe Art Gallery and more. To see more about Joel visit his website at www.joelsvisionarts.com
JEREMY SICILE-KIRA
San Diego-based intuitive artist Jeremy Sicile-Kira is a synesthete – he sees emotion in color. In 2012, Jeremy (who is autistic and communicates by typing) began to tell others about his dreams: dreams that he was painting the emotions of people into colorful abstract portraits. One night he dreamt that he painted ten of his paintings and had an art show. Jeremy was encouraged by his mother to make this dream come true, and began to paint in real life. In 2016 his first curated solo art show was covered by national and local media, resulting in a sold-out show and many private commissions. Awards include: 2016 ART San Diego Spotlight Artist; RMG’s 2016 Platform Artist of the Year, Finalist. Jeremy currently meets clients in his studio in San Diego, or via Facetime or skype. Advocacy for others like Jeremy who have no voice is an important part of his life. Jeremy co-authored a book A Full Life with Autism (Macmillan) and served as a Youth Representative to the United Nations for the Autism Research Institute (NGO); as a youth leader for the Autistic Global Initiative, and as a youth advisor to the California Employment Consortium for Youth (CECY). Now, Jeremy gives presentations at conferences and at local schools to inspire others. For more information, visit Jeremysvision.com
KEVIN HOSSEINI
Kevin Hosseini, now residing in El Cajon, has been creating works of art since he was 9 years old. He was introduced to art by his therapist Colin Zimbleman through the UCSB Koegel Autism Center as a means of social communication. Kevin is influenced by many artists including Van Gogh, Gauguin, Hopper, and Bellows. He loves textured art with lots of movement. Kevin sold his first art painting at age 11 and has gone on to win many awards including a VSA emerging artist award. Kevin’s art has been on display in many museums and galleries including the State Russian Museum in St. Petersburg, the Museum of Modern Art of the Ukraine in Kiev, the California Museum in Sacramento, the Dorje Chang Buddha III Cultural Museum in Covina and the Smithsonian S. Dillon Ripley Center in Washington D.C. Kevin’s art has been featured on book covers, CD labels, and in magazine and newspaper articles. Art helps Kevin bridge communication issues and allows him a creative outlet. Kevin’s website is www.kevingallery.com.
MATTEO MUSSO
Matteo Musso is a poet, artist, and inspirational speaker. Through a miraculous discovery at age 11 and a half, Matteo was finally able to communicate for the very first time – exposing a well of intelligence and heart way beyond his parent’s imagination. Matteo told them his mission in life is to be a voice for the silent ones, his “esteemed colleagues” on the autism spectrum. In the past three years, Matteo has shared his “Secrets of Autism” message with over 9000 people all over the United States at schools, universities, autism conferences, parent and therapy groups, churches and the medical industry. At age 13, Matteo received the Temple Grandin Award for community service from Los Positas College. Matteo is passionate about poetry, art and music, as they “move his soul.” Matteo’s website is matteomusso.com