Testimonials
" Strokes of Genius celebrates the brilliant artwork of people on the autism spectrum. It provides an important venue where the public can learn about the artistic abilities of these individuals.”
Temple Grandin, Author
Thinking In Pictures
"Thank you very much Rosa. We absolutely agree with your direction in exposing and highlighting the ability rather than the obstacles. Stephen's own passion has always been about what he can do and not what he can't. He perceives himself as a young man, who likes music and everyday 'normal' things just like other people of his age do. Of course he knows that he is a good artist; an aim he has always wanted to achieve from an early age. We wish you great success!"
Zoltan Szipola
The Stephen Wiltshire Gallery
5 Royal Opera Arcade, Pall Mall
London, SW1Y 4UY, United Kingdom
"Within each person with developmental difficulties, no matter how buried or imprisoned, is what I call an island of intactness. Our task is to discover that island, tend it, nourish it, love it, expand it and celebrate it. From that journey comes better communication, social comfortableness, self-esteem and overall independence. Rosa, through Strokes of Genius, has a special gift for discovering and nourishing artist ability, and then 'training the talent' to its' highest expression. The results speak volumes for themselves."
Darold A. Treffert, M.D. (1933-2020) RIP
Treffert Center Research Director
World Renowned Researcher in Autism, savant syndrome and related conditions
"Strokes of Genius is more than a metaphor about Savant artists. It has been the brain child of accomplished Special Education specialist, Dr Rosa Martinez who has a passionate commitment to both autism and ARTism. Through Strokes of Genius she has been the committed, reliable, trustworthy and supportive curator of a multitude of high profile art exhibitions of high quality artworks by savant artists of all ages. She has nurtured new artists in their artistic development, has sought out and facilitated publishing opportunities for their works and progressively helped take autism arts to a higher level of social recognition. This doesn't just give self esteem, purpose and opportunity to those artists. It gives society an opportunity to learn about autism through autistic artists and to learn about the personhood of those with autism, expressed through their works. This helps challenge stereotypes and assumptions, builds bridges, breaks down walls.
The works of the artists represented by Dr Martinez also inspire those at large to dare find, express or further develop the artist within themselves. Art is a non-verbal language. Whether through its colors, textures, movement, patterns, subject or styles, the art of those with autism speaks directly to the soul. The art is an act of observation, imagination, expression, communication and in its sharing it is a social communication. What better goals can there be to achieve for those on the autism spectrum. What better model can they set for their peers. I urge you to explore these artists and their works, to be inspired and connect."
Donna Williams, BA Hons, Dip Ed. (1963-2017) RIP
Author, artist, singer-songwriter, screenwriter.
