gallery265 Exhibition at USALLIANCE Financial

USALLIANCE Financial Launches 1^st Association Month with Art Created by People with Disabilities
Arc of Westchester selected to display paintings and sculpture
at their new Port Chester location

HAWTHORNE, NY – July 23, 2015 – On Monday, July 20, 2015, Arc of Westchester and USALLIANCE Financial launched their 1^st Association Month with artwork by talented artists with intellectual or developmental disabilities. The works, a sampling of the permanent collection at Arc of Westchester’s gallery265, are on loan to USALLIANCE Financial at their new branch at 555 Boston Post Road in Port Chester, NY, for the next two months. USALLIANCE’s new Association Month program was developed as a way to highlight their local Affinity Partners to the community. Arc of Westchester was invited to kick off the series by curating an exhibit of original art that brings bright colors, varied mediums and compelling compositions to the building’s lobby.

“We’re honored to partner with the Arc of Westchester and showcase a variety of their participants’ artistic talents. The artists in our local community are extremely talented and their work is quite inspiring. I’d encourage everyone to take a moment and stop by our new Port Chester branch in help us in supporting this great organization.” said Kris VanBeek, CEO of USALLIANCE Financial.

The artwork for this installment was chosen from gallery265’s permanent collection, created exclusively by Arc of Westchester’s program participants. Each piece is an original work of art and will become part of a traveling exhibit with plans to tour Westchester County.

“We are honored to have been selected as a partner for USALLIANCE’s Association Month,” said Ric Swierat, Arc of Westchester’s executive director. “We’ve had the pleasure of working in collaboration with USALLIANCE for numerous years.”

gallery265’s mission is to help individuals with developmental disabilities use artistic self expression to explore their talents while enhancing their self-esteem and individuality. Each creation is unique and evokes a range of feelings and emotions. Through partnerships with organizations like USALLIANCE, Arc of Westchester is able to showcase the abilities of its constituents, helping to overcome stigma and build understanding and community.

**The exhibit is open to the public during USALLIANCE’s regular business hours. Visitors are encouraged to learn more about Arc of Westchester and USALLIANCE after viewing the collection. In September, at a date to be determined, Arc of Westchester and USALLIANCE will host a launch party to celebrate Association Month.