Advancing Independence and WellBeing through Self-Expression

by Karr Perez, Communications Manager

There may be no right as essential to wellbeing as the freedom to create and express oneself Not only does it facilitate imagination and explore the intricacies of one’s mind and emotions, the freedom to express oneself through art also manifests independence, productivity, and full citizenship—the very mission Momentum sets out to accomplish with its wide array of programs and services.

Click here to watch Momentum Creative Art Instructor Guillermo Estrada talk about how he's striving to advance breakthroughs in their the art courses.

Empowering Potential Through Innovation

This is the reason Momentum Creative, the creative platform services of Momentum, continues to provide services and opportunities that highlight creative self-expression among persons with disabilities and medical conditions.

“Our goal of expanding options for each person receiving services required, first and foremost, that each person had more opportunities to express their thoughts, dreams, opinions, and feelings readily so that those around them could follow their lead,” said Stephani Anderson, Momentum’s Vice President of Strategy and Innovation

Out of this goal and true to Momentum’s purpose of empowering potential through innovation Momentum Creative Gallery (MCG) was born. From providing visual arts training and holding art classes and workshops 12 years ago, Momentum Creative did expand its options, which now include local, national, and international art exhibits that showcase the work of the talented artists that it serves.

“Each exhibit aims to explore the times that we are living in, like concepts derived from social and historical contexts Sometimes these come up through artists’ dialogues or in peer-to-peer critiques,” explained Aragna Ker, Momentum Creative’s Curatorial and Adaptive Design Manager Artists' pieces have been celebrated nationally, with artwork from six artists recently on display at Make Studio in Baltimore.

A Platform For Equity

The perfect melding of potential, opportunity, creativity, and self-expression makes Momentum Creative impactful. “Art sparks responses and interaction from others very effectively, without directly disclosing the particulars of the artist,” said Stephani. “This, in my opinion, makes it a platform of equity.”

And equity Momentum Creative does promote and advance, as it continues to explore techniques and mediums that were not previously offered, on top of developing tools and creating environments that empower the people it support to unleash their potential and talents in the creative arts

As Momentum Creative continues to innovate in its services and programs, it also “continues to carry forward the message that all people should be considered for their unique abilities and experiences rather than limited by “typical” ways of doing and being,” Stephani shared