The MDA Art Collection showcases works of art created by children and adults with neuromuscular disease. This collection demonstrates that neuromuscular disease is not a barrier to creative ability and artistic expression and highlights the artistic accomplishments of individuals with neuromuscular disease.

The MDA began accepting works of art into the MDA Art Collection in 1992. In 2013, the MDA Art Collection reached one of its benchmark goals when the collection accepted its 400th work of art into its collection.

The collected works showcase a broad range of media, subjects, and talent. Traditional forms of art such as paintings and sculpture are included, as well as non-traditional forms such as digital works of arts, and paintings completed by the use of the artist’s feet or the wheels on a wheelchair. Many of the works of art portray the unique perspective and challenge of living with neuromuscular disease.

The Collection has been on permanent display at the MDA headquarters in Tucson, Arizona. Artwork has been donated from individuals from all 50 states in the U.S., as well as the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Traveling exhibits of 20 to 40 works of art have been showcased in venues across the U.S. More than 3.5 million people have visited these displays.

The MDA Art Collection can also be viewed as an online gallery on the MDA website at http://mda.org/about/community-programs/art-collection . Selected pieces can be used as “art e-postcards,” and can be found at http://static.mda.org/postcards/e-postcards.html .

The MDA Art Collections showcases a broad range in terms of age range. The works on display were created by individuals ranging in age from 2 to 84. The MDA has been active in providing opportunities for children with neuromuscular disease to develop artistic talent through the MDA Summer Camps. In addition, the MDA has helped to sponsor workshops for children with neuromuscular disease. These workshops have been led by recognized artists and held in venues across the U.S. Selected works from children participating in MDA camps and workshops are now part of the MDA Art Collection.

Through works of art, individuals express their experiences as individuals and as part of humanity. The works displayed in the MDA Art Collection not only showcase the creative abilities of the individual artists but give a voice to those with neuromuscular disease.

Resources:

Ams vans website blog, (2014). Ability Unleashed in Muscular Dystrophy Association Art Collection. Retrieved from http://blog.amsvans.com/ability-unleashed-in-muscular-dystrophy-association-art-collection/ on 7/18/14.

MDA website, (2014). MDA Art Collection. Retrieved from http://mda.org/about/community-programs/art on 7/18/14.

MDA website, (2014). MDA Art Collection FAQ. Retrieved from http://mda.org/about/community-programs/art/faq.

MDA website (2014). MDA Art Collection (online gallery). Retrieved from http://mda.org/about/community-programs/art-collection on 7/18/14.

MDA website, (2014). MDA Art Collection: Send an art e-postcard. Retrieved from http://static.mda.org/postcards/e-postcards.html http://static.mda.org/postcards/e-postcards.html on 7/18/14.

Quest Staff, (2014). A Work in Progress: MDA’s collection of artwork reaches 400 pieces: Access MDA. Quest Winter 2014. Retrieved from http://quest.mda.org/article/access-mda-winter-2014 on 7/18/14.