Arts & Entertainment
Red Horse Gallery Provides Opportunities for Disabled Artists
Kasey Tararuj took the stage last month to exhibit a wide array of works to the public in the Freehold Raceway Mall.
From Nov. 29, 2010 to Jan. 21, 2011, the Red Horse Gallery in the Freehold Raceway Mall featured the artwork of painter, drawer and sculptor Kasey Tararuj of Hamilton.
VSA New Jersey and Arc Resources Unlimited collaborated to open the Red Horse Gallery in November of 2006 and have been featuring work by artists with disabilities ever since.
VSA New Jersey, the State Organization on Arts and Disability, was founded in 1978 in order to promote the creative power of people with disabilities, according to the group's Web site. It is part of an international VSA network and closely affiliated with the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts.
Arc Resources Unlimited (ARU) is a program of the Arc of Monmouth and was founded in 1949. ARU strives to improve the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.
The collaboration by the two organizations has provided the perfect opportunity for artists like Tararuj to display their work in a public setting.
"I first became aware of the Red Horse Gallery in 2009 when I received an open call for proposals," Tararuj said. She had her first split show there with another artist that February, a solo show in November, and another show with VSA New Jersey in March 2010. "[VSA] contacted me and invited me to have my own show at the Red Horse Gallery again [in December]. It means the world to me," she said.
Tararuj said all her artwork is inspired by the unexpected injury caused by AVM, or arteriovenous malformation. "It was an unfortunate curve ball in my life, but I wouldn't be who I am without it," she said. "Being a paraplegic since the age of 14 has been a difficult thing to deal with, but I have been using my art as a form of therapy. After 10 long years, it has proven to be extremely effective and I can't even imagine where I'd be without my art. It means everything to me."
She said that the majority of her work is based on the emotions, hardships, feelings and lack of feelings that she faces on a daily basis due to her disability. "Each of these things are beyond impossible for me to put into words, and having the ability to transform it all into something visual and express myself through a paintbrush is the greatest gift I could ever ask for," said Tararuj. Other works on display at the Red Horse Gallery like Kaotic Kritters are fun pieces that permit her a quick escape from the real world, she said.
Tararuj has straightforward plans for the future. "I'm a full-time artist," she declared, "I work a lot on commissions, art shows, personal work, and so much more. If I can keep on painting, drawing, sculpting and exhibiting for the rest of my life I'll be happy."
With the opportunities provided by organizations like VSA New Jersey and Arc Resources Unlimited artists like Kasey Tararuj will be able to pursue their life's purpose in spite of intellectual and developmental disabilities.
"I think it's really fantastic what they do, giving the chance for disabled artists to show off their work, who may or may not otherwise have the chance to," said Tararuj. "I'm grateful for the opportunities they've given me."
