Photo Credit: Andy Holzman/Daily News Staff Photographer

His easy smile and helpful attitude, the way he takes on any job, even toward the end of his shift.

Forty years ago, a young, developmentally disabled man like Victor Rodriguez might have been kept isolated and away from the community.

Now, he’s become part of one.  Read full story in the Los Angeles Daily News here.

Artists: Rochelle Botello, Walpa D’Mark, Leia Jervert, Kyle Kilty, Michael LeVell, Liz Nurenberg, Helen Rae & Devon Tsuno

Join us on Tuesday for the opening reception. It’s going to be a great show.

CGU Art Department, East Gallery

251 E. 10th St., Claremont, CA 91711

Gallery Hours: M-F, 10am-5pm

909.621.8071

Exhibition Dates: January 30, – February 3, 2012

Opening Reception: Tuesday, January 31st, 6pm – 9pm

Read full story from KABC-TV

Tierra del Sol Foundation will celebrate 40 years of serving individuals with disabilities on February 4, 2012, at its Sunland, California, campus.

Sunland, CA -January 23, 2012—On February, 4, 2012, Tierra del Sol Foundation (Tierra) will mark 40 years of serving individuals with disabilities, empowering them to establish meaningful and productive lives and contribute to the economic, cultural, and civic vitality of their communities. The milestone will be commemorated with a day of fun for Tierra families that will include a champagne reception and the creation of a time capsule to connect the Foundation with future generations.

Tierra was co-founded by a handful of committed parents who sought an alternative for their teenage children to the institutional care and limited school access that prevailedfour decades ago. After a couple of years of meeting in various temporary locations, the group was able to make an arrangement with the School Sisters of Notre Dame to use their 7-acre property in Sunland, a small community located in the Northeast corner of Southern California’s San Fernando Valley. The founding parents were also active in supporting the passage of  California’s Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act, or the “Lanterman Act,” which ensures that people with developmental disabilities have the right to live as members of their communities and that they and their families have access to necessary services and supports. Widely recognized as the “Bill of Rights” for persons with Developmental Disabilities, The Lanterman Act was signed into law by then-California Governor Ronald Reagan in 1969.

Formally established as a nonprofit organization in 1971, Tierra has grown from an organization that served fewer than 10 children with a few activities, to one that now servessome 550 participants through 11 distinct programs at 100 locations across Los Angeles—including the Sunland campus, which the Foundation purchased as its permanent home.

“We are still inspired by our founders’ dedication and vision,” said Steve Miller, Tierra’s Executive Director since 1990. “Tierra is guided by the conviction that each and every human life has value and purpose,” he said, adding, “that disabilities do not limit human potential, but only define the set of challenges a person must overcome through personal courage and commitment. Tierra’s job is to match each individual’s ambition to overcome his or her challenges to fulfilling a valued role in his or her community with the support, guidance, and structure each person needs to succeed.”  Miller said, “There are three ingredients to an individual’s success: an individual’s strength of character and ambition to make the most of his or her life, the creativity and resourcefulness of Tierra’s instructional staff, and the willingness of our community to accept and embrace the gifts of all of its citizens. When all of these ingredients line up, the notion of disability just simply disappears, replaced by the reality of empowered and productive citizens, contributing to a stronger community and society.”

Throughout its history, Tierra has worked to bring these ingredients together in Los Angeles. Hundreds of success stories later, the journey continues. With State budget cuts, garnering the necessary resources to move forward has become a significant challenge. “But there is no turning back to a past of institutions and discarded lives,” Miller said. “At its very core, Tierra is an organization of advocates. We know what kind of a future is possible for the people we serve, and we will not be deterred from our mission to help them achieve that future.”

Tierra is particularly distinguished by its educators’ unparalleled level of expertise in all areas of developmental disabilities, including autism, Down syndrome, and other disabilities. Many staff members, like Miller, have served individuals with an intellectual disability at Tierra for more than two decades and are now working with the next generation of participants.

Added Miller, “The work our staff is able to do at Tierra has completely changed the landscape for people with developmental disabilities.  People are out working and earning a living everywhere in our community. The creativity of the artists with disabilities we serve has been recognized internationally and has earned thousands of dollars in commissions for the artists. Through Tierra del Sol’s NEXUS program, people are now attending local community colleges. We recently saw our first participant earn her Associate of Arts degree, and this is just one example of the myriad things we’ve been able to accomplish at Tierra over the last 40 years. We look forward to the achievements the next 40 years will bring.”

A past Foundation board president, lifelong advocate for individuals with disabilities, and mother of one of Tierra’s earliest participants, Patricia Cambern, agreed, “I think of Tierra del Sol as a lovely painting that will never truly be completed. Each day and year, we can see new brushstrokes as new ideas and new creations come to life for the people we love.”

Sunland, CA (PRWeb) January 9, 2012—In its recently released jobs report, the U.S. Department of Labor stated that 200,000 new jobs were added across the nation in December and unemployment declined to 8.5 percent. However, the news was not positive for those with disabilities. Defined as individuals over 16 who do not live in institutions, the disability community saw a rise in unemployment from 13 to 13.5 percent during the same month.

Tierra del Sol Foundation, located in Sunland, California, plays an important role in reversing that trend. Through education and training, Tierra del Sol enables individuals with disabilities to establish meaningful and productive lives and contribute to the economic, cultural, and civic vitality of their respective communities.

Victor Rodriguez is one Tierra del Sol participant who exemplifies the Foundation’s many success stories. A graduate of the Tierra del Sol NEXUS program, which offers young adults with developmental disabilities support in college and other post-high school classes, Rodriguez joined the staff of the nonprofit National Health Foundation in Downtown Los Angeles. Earning $15 per hour as a part-time data assistant, Rodriguez also enjoys full benefits, including health insurance and an employer-contributed 401k.

“Victor may be benefiting from this new position, but our employees will be benefiting even more,” said Kelly Bruno, Vice President of Programs for the National Health Foundation. “What’s incredible about this opportunity is that we will be able to work with someone that our organization is committed to helping through our mission.”

Tierra del Sol Foundation helps more than 500 men and women with developmental disabilities, like Rodriguez, contribute to society through community volunteerism, creative artistic expression, and gainful employment.

First Street Gallery/Tierra del Sol artists exhibited: Teresa Curiel-Gonzalez, Sarit Halo, Jonathan Jackson, Trina Kirkman, John Maull, Patricia Sagawa, Harold Sakamoto and Jennifer Tamashiro.

Opening Reception: Saturday, November 19th, 6-9pm

Exhibition Dates: November 19th through December 17th, 2011

The Santa Monica Art Studios

3026 Airport Ave.

Santa Monica, CA 90405

For more information, contact Colin Carri, Exhibits Coordinator

exhibits@artsandservices.com

(562) 982-0252

The show includes artists whose work deals with aspirational themes without being naive, who acknowledge the messy side of things without being cynical.

Opening Reception: Friday, November 11th, from 6-8pm

Exhibition Dates: November 11th through December 30th, 2011

The Riverside Arts Project

3639 Riverside Plaza Dr., Ste. 508

Riverside, CA 92506

We invite you to join us in this special event:

As you probably already know, First Street’s mission is all about building a community.  And the best way to build a true community is person to person, friend to friend. That’s why we’re enlisting YOU to introduce us to someone new and help us “Connect the Dots”! We know you have (at least) one amazing friend who would love First Street who’s never been here before. So, bring them with you to the Tile Show opening reception and they can receive a year’s membership for only $1!

Here’s how it works:

1. Bring someone to the Tile Show reception who’s never been to First Street before
2. He/she can get a 1-year membership for only $1 (That’s a $30 value!)
3. You will each get a personalized thank-you card sent from one of our artists

It’s that easy!

Tile Show 2011 Opening Reception: Friday, October 7th, 6:00pm – 8:00pm

A group exhibition of paintings, ceramics, and works on paper from

Tierra del Sol Foundation’s Sunland Studio Artists.

Sept 2nd- Sept 30, 2011

Modest Fly Gallery

7578 Foothill Blvd.

Tujunga, CA 91042

Opening Reception:

Friday September 2nd: 7-10pm

Without Restrictions showcases seven artists who demonstrate both excellence and variety in their compelling work. Unlike many contemporary artists who are bound by constraints of the art market, these individuals create freely enabling their work to be true to their vision.

Isabel Vartanian, Peacocks, watercolor on paper 22"x30"

Pumpkin Patch, BBQ Luncheon, Art Show, Games, Entertainment and Raffle Prize Drawing

10 am to 3 pm

For more information