Honoring National Disability Awareness Month

Last month, in collaboration with Artbeat Radio (ABR), ART Center’s marketing class interviewed select resident artists and musicians from different Able ARTS Work programs in honor of National Disabilities Awareness Month. ABR producer Brian Corder facilitated the interviews, while instructor Daniela Lucidi assisted with recording. All interview questions were further created by marketing students Maria Ramirez, Sergio Leal, Lorenia Varela, and Brian Corder.

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What kind of music or art do you enjoy?

Pop music. My favorite group is the Black Eyed Peas. I like the electric guitar. If I do art, I like crayons. - Sarah Shaw, San Diego

I like both, but I love music. My favorite kind of music is calm music… I also like R&B, 90’s, and hip-hop. [When asked if he likes to play any instruments, Jonathan shared “piano.”] - Jonathan Garcia, San Diego.

I like classic [music]- I like nice music, and I listen to Billy Joel. - Liam Porter, San Diego

I like to paint canvases, and broke some records [for a CORE Show 2021 project]. I also play the trumpet and DJ. [When asked if he had a favorite artist, PJ shared that he likes to “play YG and Chief Keef” on his computer.] - Lawrence (PJ) Ward III, CECA, Hawthorne

Maria expressed she likes the piano, while she also “prefers paint.” Maria further confirmed that one of her favorite artists is “Frida Kahlo.” - Maria Galaviz-Arroyo, CECA, Hawthorne

Anime art and painting. - Roberto Lugardo, EPI, Hawthorne

"Rock!" When asked which art mediums Jermaine prefers, he said “paints.” - Jermaine Freeman, EPI, Hawthorne

Maria Galaviz-Arroyo smiles into the camera while holding up a collage image in her sketchbook.

What is your go-to karaoke song?

I like karaoke, but don’t have a go-to song. - Sarah Shaw, San Diego

“My Heart Will Go On", by Celine Dion. - Jonathan Garcia, San Diego

“A Million Dreams", from The Greatest Showman - Liam Porter, San Diego

I don’t do karaoke! - Lawrence (PJ) Ward III, CECA, Hawthorne

“Tu Sonrisa", by Elvis Crespo - Maria Galaviz-Arroyo, CECA, Hawthorne

Anime songs, like Fairy Tales - Roberto Lugardo, EPI, Hawthorne

Madonna - Jermaine Freeman, EPI, Hawthorne

Left: Robert Lugardo wearing a grey hoodie and floral facemask ; Right: ABR interviewer Brian Corder wearing red and black plaid shirt and black beanie.

Where do you like to go on vacation?

Mexico and Hawaii. - Sarah Shaw, San Diego

Las Vegas, or wherever! - Jonathan Garcia, San Diego

My cousin’s house… to eat! [When asked if there was anywhere else he would like to travel, PJ responded “Chicago, but it’s too far.”] - Lawrence (PJ) Ward III, CECA, Hawthorne

Las Vegas. - Maria Galaviz-Arroyo, CECA, Hawthorne

Disneyland - Roberto Lugardo, EPI, Hawthorne

Hawaii! - Jermaine Freeman, EPI, Hawthorne

What’s your favorite movie?

High School Musical 2 - Sarah Shaw, San Diego

I don’t know, but I like romantic comedies. - Jonathan Garcia, San Diego

Scream. - Lawrence (PJ) Ward III, CECA, Hawthorne

Toy Story. - Maria Galaviz-Arroyo, CECA, Hawthorne

The Avengers. - Roberto Lugardo, EPI, Hawthorne

Cats! - Jermaine Freeman, EPI, Hawthorne

Left: Jermaine Freeman wearing black headphones ; Right: ABR interviewer wearing grey sweater and facemask.

How did you find out about Able ARTS Work?

My mom went online to show me. - Sarah Shaw, San Diego

I looked online and then my caregiver called the program. - Jonathan Garcia, San Diego

My mom and I came and visited. - Liam Porter, San Diego

Jesus [and his mom] told me about it. - Lawrence (PJ) Ward III, CECA, Hawthorne

[I] found out through my friend from program, Jesus. - Maria Galaviz-Arroyo, CECA, Hawthorne

Through a coworker. - Roberto Lugardo, EPI, Hawthorne

My friends. - Jermaine Freeman, EPI, Hawthorne

Liam Porter smiles into camera, wearing grey pullover.

What do you enjoy the most about being at program?

I like podcast [and] hanging out with my friends. - Sarah Shaw, San Diego

To see my friends and teachers. - Jonathan Garcia, San Diego

Coming to see my friends. [PJ further explained he liked going to his three classes as well.] - Lawrence (PJ) Ward III, CECA, Hawthorne

Communicating - Maria Galaviz-Arroyo, CECA, Hawthorne

Meeting people. - Roberto Lugardo, EPI, Hawthorne

Being in classes! - Jermaine Freeman, EPI, Hawthorne

CECA Program artists decorating pumpkins. Left to right: Andrea, Jesse (Program Manager), PJ, Jesus

What comes to mind when you hear the word disability?

Being unique. - Sarah Shaw, San Diego

That we can do anything - Jonathan Garcia, San Diego

I like to think of ability. - Liam Porter, San Diego

I’d say unique and strong. - Lawrence (PJ) Ward III, CECA, Hawthorne

Strength. - Maria Galaviz-Arroyo, CECA, Hawthorne

Jonathan Garcia, smiling, wearing a black hoodie

When did you first learn about your disability?

When I was 9. - Sarah Shaw, San Diego

When I was born. I am fine with sharing [my story], and can go into as much depth as people want to hear- that’s what makes me an artist. - Jonathan Garcia, San Diego

When I was at school (specifically high school)- Jesus and I met up in high school. - Lawrence (PJ) Ward III, CECA, Hawthorne

At 2 years old. - Maria Galaviz-Arroyo, CECA, Hawthorne

When I was younger.” [When asked, Jermaine said his family informed him.] - Jermaine Freeman, EPI, Hawthorne

Is disability awareness important to you?

Yes, because I want people to be aware of disabilities. - Sarah Shaw, San Diego

Yeah because it shows that people with disabilities can love themselves, and that everyone is deserving of love, no matter what. - Jonathan Garcia, San Diego

It’s very important to me because I feel like it could be important to be aware. - Liam Porter, San Diego

Yeah, because it helps me go out [in the community]. - Lawrence (PJ) Ward III, CECA, Hawthorne

Yes, because it allows for other people to learn about disabled people like me. - Maria Galaviz-Arroyo, CECA, Hawthorne

Yeah! - Jermaine Freeman, EPI, Hawthorne

Sarah Shaw, wearing a pink crop top and holding up a self portrait

Are you going to celebrate disabilities awareness month? If so, how?

I don’t know. - Sarah Shaw, San Diego

You know what? I didn’t know about developmental disability awareness month- I didn’t know about it! - Jonathan Garcia, San Diego

Yes- I’ll eat! - Lawrence (PJ) Ward III, CECA, Hawthorne

We do not celebrate, but might celebrate in the future. - Maria Galaviz-Arroyo, CECA, Hawthorne

On my birthday. - Jermaine Freeman EPI, Hawthorne

Lawrence "PJ" Ward III holding microphone and smiles into camera

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Read about Disability Pride at Able ARTS Work's San Diego program. Learn more about ArtBeat Radio’s discussion regarding Identity within one’s disability and the community and the conversion surrounding Person-first and Identity-first language.

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Sydney Davis-Campos is the Virtual Learning Coordinator at Able ARTS Work, Learn for Life. She has a B.A. in Studio Art and Art History. Sydney has worked at Able ARTS Work for 6 years where she has also held the positions of Art Instructor and an Assistant Program Manager.