Art for All There is a big demand for Art Abilities’ classes for people with developmental disabilities. By Caitlin Fillmore I n less than five years, Art Abilities has transformed from earning first place at a Monterey Bay business startup competition into an award-winning nonprofit experiencing so much demand, it is already expanding into the office next door. “There is no other creative space in Monterey County designed for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, especially those with higher support needs,” CEO Ritika Kumar says. “For many of our artists, the one or two days a week they spend with us is the only program they attend.” Art Abilities offers inclusive art classes for children, teens, adults and seniors with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Monterey County. Each weekday, young artists arrive at the welcoming Pacific Grove studio space after school. This program balances structure and artistic exploration, offering artists a variety of supplies to paint, draw, sculpt or create mixed media masterpieces. Sundays are for neurodiverse adults, with an added business component to help artists market and sell their work. “Our tools are adapted for different hands, bodies and sensory needs, and everyone works at their own pace,” Kumar says. “We care more about the process than the finished piece. Success is someone expressing themselves, making their own choices and feeling part of a group.” Kumar was inspired to develop Art Abilities after working as an adaptive art teacher and witnessing how artists of any age can blossom. “Many of our artists had never before been recognized for being good at something or valued for what they created,” she says. “Watching [artists] find their voice through art is what led me to open Art Abilities.” This nonprofit has served more than 300 people since 2022. And now it has big plans: adding a ceramics program and upgrading its facilities to include a kitchen and additional program space. These expansions build toward Art Abilities’ “big dream” of obtaining a dedicated van and starting a day program for adults. “Our all-inclusive art classes bring together individuals with and without disabilities, creating opportunities for friendships, understanding and meaningful connections through art,” Kumar says. “We warmly invite everyone to visit our studio in Pacific Grove, meet our artists and see their work for themselves.” Emmi Vigil works on a project at Art Abilities. She is one of more than 300 clients who have participated in art classes through the nonprofit since it was founded in 2022. DANIEL DREIFUSS SPOTLIGHT 2027 SEASON join us for our www.arieltheatrical.org IMAGINE A DRAGON HOW TO BE A PIRATE THE UGLY DUCKLING YOU’RE A GOOD MAN CHARLIE BROWN A CHRISTMAS CAROL THE BEAR WENT OVER THE MOUNTAIN DISNEY THE LION KING KIDS THE WIZARD OF OZ Scan here to support family-friendly theatre with a donation to us through MC Gives! montereycountygives.com/ariel SEUSSICAL TYA Scan here to support family-friendly theater with a donation to us through MC Gives! 32 Monterey County GIVES! 2026 mcgives.com
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