Lauren Randolph, a visual artist, and The Arc Rockland have come together to create a mural exploring “disability pride” and “community connections” on Franklin Street.
The nonprofit for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities opened its Nyack location on Church Street in October, making it one of several The Arc Rockland home bases throughout the towns and villages. There are also more than 40 chapters of The Arc’s statewide organization, as well as a national umbrella group.
The mural was painted with the help of people associated with the The Arc Rockland, and it was unveiled in March.
“Working on this project meant so much to me. I have taught many art classes at ARC over the years and I so love working with the individuals and employees. This felt like such a wonderful team effort that flowed with ease,” Randolph said in a statement to Nyack News and Views.
“I felt so grateful to be able to honor Judy Heumann in our mural and am so inspired by her powerful activism,” she said. “I hope that this collaborative mural continues to uplift and inspire everyone that sees it.”
Judy Heumann, the woman depicted in the mural, is an “internationally recognized leader in the disability community & lifelong civil rights advocate for disadvantaged people,” according to her website.
The Arc Rockland was founded in 1954 by a group of parents and is the first nonprofit in Rockland to support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, according to its website. It serves 800 people.
Hubs like the one in Nyack provide weekday activities for recipients of the organization’s services.