Visitors enjoyed the artwork on display from photography to experimental works presented by neurodivergent artists. Sherine John / Daily Neus
UC Santa Barbara’s Koegel Autism Center held its fifth annual “Unmasking Through Art” show on Nov. 21, inviting the Santa Barbara community to share and explore the creativity of neurodivergent art. The show featured a range of multimedia artwork created by neurodivergent artists from UCSB and the Santa Barbara Community, making for a beautiful exhibit.
Fourth-year psychological & brain sciences major Ashley Brazell, a clinical coordinator at the Koegel Autism Center (KAC) and the lead director of the creative club co-hosting the show, described the goal of the KAC.
“[KAC] focuses on reaffirming the individual and empowering them to self-advocate for themselves, rather than focusing on where there may be deficiencies,” Brazell said. “[The center] focuses on their strengths and how to utilize those to perform in a world that wasn’t necessarily configured to meet the way their brain functions.”
Upon entrance, the center was lined with artwork on every wall, each available for sale (with profits going directly to the artist), with more and more work at every turn. Visitors were welcomed by warm ambient lighting and a performance by UCSB alumnus Kai Roldan, who sang original music while playing his guitar.
In addition to providing the night’s musical entertainment, Roldan also had his artwork featured in the exhibit. As a predominantly digital artist and the one behind the artwork on the flyer for the event, Roldan spoke about the inspiration behind some of his exhibited art — highlighting the importance of his identity within his work, with themes of spirituality, neurodivergence and transgender identity coinciding together within his creations.
“My art tends to speak to parts of myself that I’m exploring, and they don’t always, I don’t always know what I’m making until it’s kind of happening,” Roldan said. “And then over time, as my life unfolds, I’m like, ‘Oh my gosh. Like, that’s what that thing was about.’ So a lot of my work is self-explorative, self-reflective, very deeply emotional at the time.”
Among the show’s visitors were the featured artists, eager to talk to people about their work. Jessica De Castro, a third-year zoology major, spoke about her work and involvement in the show, revealing that she is a returning artist who found out about the show on Instagram. Describing her work, De Castro highlights its animal anatomy motifs and horror elements. “As per my major,” she joked.
As visitors moved further into the exhibit, they were faced with even more breathtaking art — from photography to experimental works created from authored data of a DNA cell, with a mesmerizing range of artists displayed. Visitors seemed to agree on the art’s beauty as more and more “sold” stickers appeared on nearly every piece.
Sherine John / Daily Nexus
Solidifying its position as an exhibit for all ages, the “Unmasking Through Art” show featured work from three young artists: Charlotte, Mason and Molly Vernon, the children of KAC director and UCSB alumnus Ty Vernon. Vernon remarked that his children are neurodivergent, so creating art allows them to express their creativity. Molly, 5 years old, remarked in her written description of her work “Cat Statue,” “When I paint, I feel happy. Cats make me feel calm, that’s why I painted this cat picture.” Her brother, 7-year-old Mason, excitedly spoke about his YouTube channel and his plans to become an engineer, talking to visitors about his work “Pleasing Pumpkin Painting.”
The show continued to bustle with excited visitors and buyers all night. UCSB alumna Tyler Alexander talked about her impressions of the show and initial thoughts.
“I thought that it was gonna be a little bit more traditional, kind of like professional art, where it’s like, very bystander, very classical. But when I came here, I really saw art from different perspectives and different mindsets,” Alexander said. “I think that’s what was so unique about, like, this selection of artists.”
Brazell commented on what the KAC hoped to accomplish with the art show and the center’s aim to make a positive impact on the Santa Barbara community as a whole.
“The show is just an incredible opportunity for anyone in the Santa Barbara community. We hope to uplift the neurodivergent community by allowing them an opportunity to showcase the way they express themselves,” Brazell said. “Self-expression can be in multiple variables, whether it be through art and performance, which we’re allowing them the opportunity to show, but also can be in other forms. So we hope, by allowing them to present themselves through artwork and through their performances, we can, you know, advocate for the community more.”
In one night, the KAC brought together a community of art lovers to revel in new and beautiful artwork in a masterfully executed show. “Unmasking Through Art” left visitors with smiles on their faces and set high expectations for next year’s showcase.
