History

In November of 1993, Arts Access began
as a small pilot program inspired by the vision of then-president Robert Schonhorn, Dr. Gabor Barabas and his wife SuzAnne Barabas, who served as its first director. Dr. Barabas believed that the one thing able and disabled people share in common is the human mind's vast capacity for imagination. With this philosophy he launched an experiment that over time has become the successful program that Arts Access is today.

The program is sponsored by the Matheny
School and Hospital, located in Peapack,
New Jersey. The main outside support at the time was from the Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation. Instructors of different disciplines began to experiment with new ideas and techniques to enable individuals limited by their disabilities to become artists. It was quickly evident that the students were a rich source of untapped artistic potential. Showing a great degree of wisdom, Matheny allowed this experiment to have a permanent place under its tutelage. Matheny then decided to make Arts Access an elective program under the supervision of the director, Lyn Sanders.

In 1999, Arts Access moved from the main hospital at Matheny to the new Robert Schonhorn Arts Center, allowing the program to expand its curriculum and participant load.

The fine quality of the students' work has led to numerous shows and exhibits at prestigious locations like ABC Headquarters in NYC, the Newark Museum and the Ellarslie Museum. The program has received much attention from the press and the media, and has been featured on CBS, etc....

The final shape and philosophy has been developed with the contribution and visionary spirit of many valuable artists who have worked for the program through the years. We are grateful to all of them for their contributions.