V°LITION Gallery and Creative Space Announce Exhibition by Artists with Autism and Other Developmental Delays

Art Speaks: Piece by Piece Opens November 18th at Bell-ans Center for the Creative Arts

V°LITION Gallery and Creative Space today announced the opening of Art Speaks: Piece by Piece, an exhibit organized to promote the art and creativity of individuals who are affected by autism and other developmental delays.  

The opening reception for this breakthrough experience happens November 18th, from 2pm until 5pm. The exhibition will run through January 6th.

Curated by Phyllis Dodge, Owner & Founder, Producer & Curator, Sona Viola, Gallery Director & Curator, and James and Andrew Dodge, husband and son of Phyllis Dodge, the exhibition is still open to contributions from visual artists on the autism spectrum or others with developmental delays.

The V°LITION gallery is located on the historic grounds of Bell-ans, a vibrant part of Orangeburg and Rockland County, New York, welcoming artists, entrepreneurs and the community for creativity, work and gatherings. Bell-ans was established in 1897, when by John Lanphere Dodge, the son of a Civil War Union Army Surgeon, purchased 150 acres in Orangeburg.

Dodge created a pharmaceutical factory which still stands, alongside many other historic buildings and barns.

James (Dodge’s great-great-grandson) and his wife Phyllis in 2010 reimagined the artist community., refurbishing the main building and adding more studio space for artists and renaming the building the Bell-ans Center of Creative Arts.

The V°LITION gallery is the heart and soul of the creative community, including painters, sculptors, craftspeople, photographers, musicians, poets and entrepreneurs.

The Arts Speaks Exhibition for Individuals with Autism and Developmental Disabilities will feature the work of artists through exhibiting their work, and through special events including the opening later this month.  

“As a mother of a very talented autistic son, who continues to study at the Museum of Modern Art in NYC, I have had the honor to learn about the expression, talent and magical gifts of individuals who see and experience things differently than others,” Phyllis said. “Art helps us see connections, create platforms to express utmost creativity and brings meaning to our world!”

Submissions have come through partnerships with several of Rockland County’s highly respected organizations including Camp Venture and ARC, from the Jewish Community Center (JCC) of Manhattan, from PureVisions Art in Chelsea, and from states including Pennsylvania and Massachusetts. The gallery is accepting works from artists 7 years and older.

“All our artists are self-taught and have exhibited all over the world,” Phyllis said. “The Art Speaks exhibition is truly a movement, putting forward a platform where artists with autism and other developmental disabilities will be delighted in expressing their vision, and where we all can enjoy and be inspired by their work.”

A rock and roll band that is led by Jeff Friedberg will perform at the opening, with all its musicians being on the spectrum.

Poetry by Andrew Weatherly, 27-year-old down syndrome artist and poet who has exhibited previously, will also be shared that afternoon.

“The gallery is about delivering a creative experience, interacting and working together,” Phyllis said.  “Each event brings people and artists together with art, expressions of desires and will – created of our own individual and collective volition. This new exhibition is of special importance, and a gift, we believe to our community and to all who wish to enjoy the expressions of talented fine artists, musicians and poets.”

Bell-ans is a unique community of gallery spaces, unique studios, businesses, and outdoor haven on over 12 sprawling acres of rustic beauty located in the lower Hudson Valley, only 30 minutes from Manhattan.

The gallery is located at Bell-ans Center of Creative Arts, 4 Bell Lane, Orangeburg, NY 10962.

For more information please visit www.bellans.com.

WE

As our last event for the year approaches, we are happy to say it was one awesome year.

I came into the year with intention to see what works, what doesn’t, who and what do we resonate with…and to do this together.

It was a year where valuable lessons were taught…as they say “every day is a school day” and a year of being grateful for all those who collaborated and supported us. For all of it.... "The great, the good, the bad and the ugly”. ….at the end of the day, we are happy and appreciative. 

We are excited for the Surrender to Small exhibit tomorrow. Thank you to all of the participating artists near and far. Eighty-nine artists; wow! Total honor!

There is NO “I” in Bell-ans. We love togetherness, collaborations, connections, and community.

Also, big love that our neighboring art establishments, The SOUK and Union Arts Center with Bell-ans collaborated with three creative events in one day tomorrow. It has been such a nice & different experience when “hey, let’s root for each other, and work together for EVERYONE’s highest and best.”

For those of you who have shone that bright light on Bell-ans and the gallery with support and cheer, big heart hug in waves…and I have felt every ounce of your love and good vibes.

Hope to see you tomorrow for our last event of the year.

Love,
Phyllis + James.

120

We think we can….we think we can….we KNOW we can!

James and I being reflective and thinking "Wow, what does a 120 years mean to us?"

For James, being the fourth of his generation to manage and keep Bell-ans operating and functioning…it is a great love for him, his personal sandbox….as much as there are days he can see himself calling it a day , and working on his classic cars all day….he continues to work hard …and has enormous amount of pride & dedication.

For me, I drove away the other day, and was a bit teary eyed with pride, satisfaction & personal fullment on how much James and I, together have accomplished in seven years. We both have a vision and its becoming a reality. 

I have been questioned about my sustainability and that made me stop and think... 

My sustainability is what I want it to be!  It is a process and discovery is in the process. Then it dawned on me, Bell-ans has had sustainability for 120 years..sustainabilty can be molded and adjusted and adapted.

Her heart is still strong, passion stronger than ever and being cheered on... oh by so many…and so many happy faces at Bell-ans.

At the end of day, we are here, James’s ancestors we believe would be so proud of us.

Most of all, the love from both of us, is unmeasured with our commitment to Bell-ans and the community. James being native born to Rockland and myself, over 40 years living in South 0rangetown.

We are excited to share in our celebration of Bell-ans turning 120 years young this Saturday evening. 

Additionally, It has been an honor and great pleasure for both of us to work with Lynn Stein, artist & curator of our next exhibit...Guilty Pleasures 120. Just wait until you walk into the V°LITION gallery!

We look forward to having a great time on Saturday! Dancing, laughing, and just some pleasurable fun with a bit of guilt??!?? 

Ever so passionately,

Phyllis + James

A Million Love Letters

As Jamey’s exhibit comes to an end, I’d like to share my reflections on the experience.

Jamey and I embarked on creating his first solo show with high expectations - this experience did not disappoint - it was a satisfying and joyful path and I am very happy with Jamey and our collaboration.

As I watched Jamey and his guests interact, I said to myself “here is a person who creates his own reality." He had so much love and support from friends, family and artist peers- even people meeting him for the first time were captured by his essence... one of love and creativity.

It was truly a pleasure and honor to hold this wonderful artist's first solo exhibit at VOLITION. 

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VOLITION has been for me partly an awakening and discovery of who I am without any restriction. I can finely breathe. It's about sharing creative experience and vision with an artist. The artists that walk with me are truly what I see in myself but can not express. I thank these loves that come into my life and help me find that voice within me. 

I was raised by hard-working immigrant parents with the common belief that "succeeding" meant you go into a sensible, lucrative career such as finance, law, medicine, etc. and make money enough to be secure. Can't blame them - giving birth to their only daughter here in the USA the land of opportunity, they wanted me to go out and make a million. 

This way of thinking though meant you often had to push aside what you might love or what fulfills you or makes your heart sing.

As a young woman, I wasn’t strong and confident enough to break that mold and go out and get a degree in what I truly desired. I did as expected but I didn’t resonate with the degree that I received. I never felt fulfilled but the education and experience helped me get to where I am today and finally in the job that I want to do. For that I am grateful. 

I have worked extremely hard for all that I've accomplished - mirroring my parents hard work and dedication and further fulfilling what is held in my true core. 

A few years ago, I was given an opportunity to purchase my share of Bell-ans. With hard work and a vision it makes me so happy to also be the founder and sole owner of VOLITION.

The burning question?

So what if I don’t make that million dollars? What if, instead, I touch a million lives, or deliver a million smiles or, maybe just maybe, make an impact on one person on one given day and that impact spreads like a ripple, spreading love and good will... I’d be okay with that kind of success...

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This year, being a year of firsts, we will host our first photography exhibit. 

The question I am asked often, is "are you an artist?”  Last year, I dabbled in finding my medium. I choose photography. I discovered really quickly that it's much more than point and shoot! I have a huge respect for photographers. It is technical, precise, and full of observation and great detail. So many considerations need to take place prior to snapping that photo! 

Working for months with these fabulous photographers from the "Local Love" exhibit and hearing them discuss all the technical and artistic aspects of their work brought a heightened level of awareness and respect. All of them were true loves to be with and to share in this experience that we are going to share with everyone on Saturday, June 3. 

Additionally, the artists have generously decided to give a percentage of sales to VCS, a mental health agency in Rockland County.

With great excitement and honor, Spencer Tunick, international photographer, and his wife, Kristin Bowler, visual artist, will be at the pre-opening of our event. See our website for details. 

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This year we will hold our first mass mediation on our big lawn. I was introduced to mediation three years ago and it has created a shift in my life. Nina Skowronski, the curator for the Local Love exhibit, introduced me to the Big Quiet in NYC and it was quite an experience. I mentioned to Nina that I hoped to bring a similar meditation event to Bell-ans and thought she would be the perfect person, with her background in and love for yoga and meditation, to orchestrate this heavenly event for our community. 

Thrilled over the community collaboration with this event.

#selfmade #love #desire #passion #millionsmiles

With an enormous amount of love…

Phyllis

Love Letters,

Sona Viola, Photographer

Spring is here & a new season has begun at Bell-ans.

Spring is here and new season has begun here at Bell-ans.

Spring –

new beginnings, expressions, celebrations …and lots love to be shared.

Seeds are being planted in our lovely land as new artists and businesses continue to join our creative community, and excitement is starting to build up with the anticipation of our upcoming events and art openings.

We are kicking off with Surfacing featuring the works ofJamey Jackson, a local, emerging artist whose paintings will leave you in awe.

This will be followed by Local Love, a photography exhibition featuring six Hudson Valley photographers, Michael Craft, Eugene Lagana, Laurie Peek, Nina Skowronski, Sona Viola and Chris Yacopino and their stories through images curated by Nina Skrowonski.

Honored for Rockland County artist and international artist Spencer Tunick, whose works of masses of nude people combine photography and performance art. He is joined by his muse, Kristin Bowler, artist, for ~ A visual love story of projected images and conversation.

Later on in June, Nina will also lead us with a group of our local yoga studios in a mass mediation and sound bath on the great big lawn celebrating the summer solstice.

This summer, we are honored to have Lynn Stein, former art director at ROCA,  curating our big 120-year birthday celebration of Bell-ans with her show Guilty Pleasures 120 – Lynn’s call for artists is still open.

This will lead into our annual, autumn Open Studios and a solo exhibition of the works of the ever-innovative, talented, edgy and visionary Nyack artist, Marisol Diaz.

We will ring out the year with Surrender to Small, curated by Lisa D’amico. We encourage local artists to submit their small but meaningful works, reflecting that surrendering to the tiniest can be most powerful.

Additionally, we are planning a day at the barn with West Carberry Stables, where we can share barn life experiences and meet Bell-ans’ animals. We will bring local artists, creatives, animal lovers, friends and family together...and a community together.

Our V°LITION gallery is about producing more than art exhibitions – the gallery is about delivering a creative experience, interacting and working together. Each event brings people and artists together with art, expressions of desires and will – created of our own individual and collective volition.

Do what you love and your heart will sing…create and express yourself authentically and your heart will sing! Love and share with our animal friends and your heart will sing.

I believe to be in service and giving back to the community. Most of our events will have a portion being donated to charities that are close to the heart.

 #beseen #expressyourself #communitylove

Love and gratitude,

Phyllis & James