Parrish Art Museum educator Wendy Gottlieb has been selected to present the Museum’s Painting at the Parrish program at the American Parkinson’s Disease Association’s free, virtual conference on February 15 and 16.
Gottlieb will discuss the Museum’s program and lead a sample workshop for the more than 2,000 registrants at the conference, which is open to people with Parkinson’s disease and their care partners. Gottlieb is among 25 experts in the field who will present at the conference. In addition to APDA, she has worked closely with many nonprofits and partner organizations on the East End to create dynamic education initiatives throughout her 40-year tenure at the Parrish,
“Wendy’s warmth combined with her expertise in teaching art to people at all experience levels is a huge reason why our Access programs have been so well received,” said Martha Stotzky, Deputy Director of Education. “Finding joy — in this case through art — helps us be resilient in the face of life’s challenges. With this understanding, Wendy is a master at creating learning environments that are rigorous, yet open, relaxed, and welcoming. The Parrish is very fortunate to have her as part of its staff.”
The Museum offers two Paint with the Parrish initiatives — both led by Gottlieb — that have been sensitively designed for those with Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s, along with their care partners. The Parkinson’s program was developed in 2017 in collaboration with Sarah Cohen at Stony Brook–Southampton Hospital’s Center for Parkinson’s Disease and the American Parkinson’s Disease Association and has served 2180 people. Individuals may register through the Hospital’s Parkinson’s Disease Center. The Alzheimer’s/dementia program of monthly tours and activities began in 2016 in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Disease Resource Center (ADRC) and has served over 1,800 participants. Registration, open to all, is through ADRC.
Paint at the Parrish is part of Access Parrish — the Museum’s decades-long commitment to making the building, programs, and resources accessible to all audiences. Access Parrish comprises a series of learning experiences designed to engage and welcome visitors with special needs. These include online tours and art workshops for groups of children, adults, and families for its program partners including Flying Point Foundation for Autism, Southampton Fresh Air Home, The Retreat, New Hour for Women-LI, Suffolk County Corrections, Southampton and Hampton Bays Schools Life Skills classes, and East End Disability Associates. The programs are also available to any public or private groups by requests.