Today we’d like to introduce you to Debra Muzikar.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I am the parent of 3 children, Justine, Katie and Kevin. Kevin, my youngest, is an artist on the autism spectrum.
Kevin was a traumatic birth and was delivered by C-Section. He developed in a typical fashion until he was about a year old when he experienced a regression. He lost language and became withdrawn. He developed fixations on certain things such as trains. At age three he was diagnosed with autism. I didn’t realize at the time that autism would not only permeate everything our family did but would tie into my own life purpose.
Shortly after Kevin was diagnosed, we received a grant for services from the UCSB Koegel Autism Center in Santa Barbara. For the next many years we had a constant stream of college students who came into our home to engage Kevin. The Koegel program was a fit for us because they believed in using the child’s interests and strengths to motivate the child to learn new behaviors and engage with others. The students introduced Kevin to many fun activities such as frisbee golf, chess, hiking, and surfing. The therapists became integral parts of our family and were like big brothers and sisters to Kevin.
One therapist, Colin, was an artist who exposed Kevin to many different mediums and styles of art. Each week that Colin came to our home Kevin would create an art piece. The subjects usually were of things Kevin liked to paint such as trains. Soon our house was full of art (and many train and dog paintings).
During this time I was a board member of The Rhythmic Arts Project (TRAP), which integrated drumming and a learning program for people with special needs. At one of the TRAP fundraisers, we displayed Kevin’s art as well as other participant’s art. We were surprised when Kevin at age 10 sold his first piece – a painting of a train, of course!
Kevin loved texture and became known for his brightly-colored, action-oriented Van Gogh-like paintings. During this time, Kevin also thrived. He was in a regular education class and was able with assistance to keep up with other students. He participated in surf camp during the summer and learned to play the drums – even participating in an ad- hoc band that played after surf camp at Carpinteria State beach.
Kevin donated paintings to nonprofits and also sold many pieces. I became aware of many other artists on the autism spectrum and became intrigued why there were so many autistic people who had artistic or musical capabilities. I started showing other artists’ work along with Kevin’s. My philosophy about autism also started to change. I saw that the autistic brain develops differently than the neurotypical brain and it is “different” not “less than.” Those diagnosed with autism may see the world more brightly and with more sensitivity than neurotypical people. I became aware there were many parents who engaged their children through art, music and other creative pursuits. Some of these children and young adults were able to make a living off of their creativity.
In 2010, I was approached to write a book about art and autism by Karen Simmons, the founder of Autism Today. The book which featured dozens of artists on the autism spectrum was published in 2011. In 2012, I published another book The Art of Autism: Shifting Perceptions. That year I founded with Keri Bowers The Art of Autism project. We curated many exhibits across the country and in Canada. The project snowballed and became an international success with artists posting their art and poetry on Facebook. Bloggers contributed thought-provoking articles. The project became a nonprofit in 2014.
After elementary school, Kevin experienced some difficult times. Public schools are often not the right placement for people like Kevin. Kevin ended up at a private autism school in Cleveland. When he came back to California, he was 22 and placed in a home through Home of Guiding Hands in El Cajon. He participates in a work program and is doing well. He still paints but not as often.
We shifted focus with the Art of Autism concentrating more on the autistic perspective in blog posts. So often we hear from parents, therapists, physicians, and others who claim to be “experts.” I wanted to know how people on the autism spectrum experience the world differently and how those who are neurotypical can learn from their unique perspectives and ways of thinking. Three of our board members are on the autism spectrum.
In 2018 the Art of Autism participated in an Art & Advocacy exhibit at the California Museum. In 2017 we partnered with Apple Computers for the Created on IPAD project. We were very excited when Apple CEO Tim Cook took notice of our project. In 2018, we partnered with Mainly Mozart in San Diego for Mozart & the Mind showcasing artists on the autism spectrum. This year The Art of Autism has a bigger role with Mainly Mozart’s Mozart & The Mind. Art of Autism board member Lamis Jabri is working on a symposium titled Finding Your Inner Mozart the weekend of May 30 – June 2. She has arranged for Temple Grandin to be part of the festivities celebrating the genius of Mozart and the autistic mind.
Please tell us about your art.
Over the years over 500 artists from around the globe have contributed to the Art of Autism project. The project includes all mediums of art, poetry, dance, and music.
The project is about celebrating diverse minds.
“If you’ve met one person with autism, you’ve met one person with autism.” Each person is a unique individual. We celebrate their humanity.
What do you think about conditions for artists today? Has life become easier or harder for artists in recent years? What can cities like ours do to encourage and help art and artists thrive?
Artists struggle. If you are an artist with a disability, it is even more difficult to make a living as an artist. Our project is constantly looking for opportunities for artists. These opportunities may include art used for logos, book covers, CD’s or in promotional material. We recently had a Catholic magazine pay for art work of autistic artists for a article about making church services more accessible to people with disabilities.
For our project, in recent years people have become more aware of the creativity of those on the autism spectrum. There is a greater appreciation of neurodiversity in general.
Your site can continue to showcase different types of artists and art. You are doing a community service!
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
They can view art in our galleries at www.the-art-of-autism.com
Contact Info:
- Address: 855 S. Main Ave., Ste K. #313, Fallbrook, CA 92028
- Website: www.the-art-of-
autism.com - Phone: (760) 723-2259
- Email: info@artautism.com
- Instagram: artofautism6
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.
com/theartofautism - Twitter: @artautism
Image Credit:
Debra Muzikar images. Two of the images are art work of Joel Anderson – the Einstein in the living room at a Mainly Mozart event and the Self-Portrait for the Art as Advocacy exhibit at the California Museum. The other art work is of Kevin Hosseini, the Art of Autism logo and the book by Debra Hosseini (now Muzikar) The Art of Autism: Shifting Perceptions
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