Nov 11, 2010

Holiday Store Opens in Maplewood Serving Persons with DisabilitiesBy Gail LevinsonMyCentralJersey.com

As part of a yearlong celebration of its tenth anniversary, Arts Unbound, a non-profit organization for artists with disabilities, is opening a Pop Up holiday gift store in Maplewood Village to recognize over 20 talented artists with disabilities whose work with be on display and for sale.

The store, titled, The Gift of Art, will officially open on Thursday, November 18th from 6 – 9 PM with a ribbon cutting ceremony, live music and refreshments. The public is encouraged to attend. Jewelry, handcrafted journals, greeting cards and gift products for all ages and at affordable prices will be featured in the store. Artists will be on hand throughout the season for demonstrations. The store is located directly across the street from the train station at 147B Maplewood Ave.

The organization is the recipient of a federal SEED grant through the NJ Department of Labor, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services that will provide dollars for store rental as well as instruction and coaching to artists who create craft and gift items. Dollars from a third year grant from the NJ Council on Developmental Disabilities will continue to provide funding to support the agency’s greeting card line and efforts to promote the artwork of artists with developmental disabilities.

“We are thrilled to be locating our holiday store in Maplewood Village, a community that supports its downtown commercial district and one that celebrates the arts.” We invite the public to shop in the store for holiday gifts while promoting the work of talented artists with mental, physical and developmental disabilities”, said Kai Cole, Store Manager and Marketing Director for the organization.

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