Main St. Masterpieces – Poetry in Color

The art exhibit, Poetry in Color, is currently on display at the gallery, Main St. Masterpieces. Main St. Masterpieces offers artists from Development Disabilities Institute, or DDI, a venue to display their creativity in art.

Smithtown based DDI provides personal, educational and therapeutic care to children and adults with autism and other developmental disabilities. Founded by parents of children with developmental disabilities, DDI is now a non-profit, multi-site agency serving more than 1600 children and adults at various locations. 

Main St. Masterpieces

Participants in DDI’s Adult Day Program have created more than 25 original works of art, called the “Poetry in Color” art exhibit. These works of art were inspired by various written works, with the goal of presenting poetry as an art form. At the gallery, which was established in 2008, the public is encouraged to visit and enjoy the exhibit, which runs through November 11th.

According to Juliana Dennis, Art Gallery Assistant for DDI, the pieces on display include oil pastel, acrylic, and water color. “Creative and talented artists at DDI have dedicated their time and skills to generate these exceptional pieces,” said Dennis. Most of the artwork from the exhibit is for sale, with 100 percent of the proceeds going directly to the artists.

“The Main Street Masterpieces gallery is a unique space for artists with autism and other developmental disabilities to express themselves creatively", says Sherry McKeown, Administrative Director of Adult Day Services at DDI. McKeown went on, explaining that she works directly with the residents at DDI to choose a project and finish it to completion. “This is a form of recreation for the artist, and it’s also very therapeutic for them,” says McKeown.

While the gallery is an essential part of our Adult Day Program, DDI offers other recreational outlets for residents, including music, yoga, dance and various sports, offered McKeown.

There are two ways to peruse the exhibits at Main St. Masterpieces; one is to view the pieces virtually, at https://bit.ly/PoetryInColor, and the other is to visit the gallery in person. The gallery, located at 9 West Main St., is typically open on Thursdays 4:30 – 6:30, Saturdays 9:00 – 11:00 or by appointment. Visitors to the gallery receive a brochure, which lists the artist, the medium of the work, and the work’s title.

DDI also has a website, www.ddiny.org, where visitors can learn about services, fundraising events, current news and how to sign up for their newsletter.