Autism: My World is Different, featuring artwork created by Kathleen Dugan, will be on display in the Marian University Art Gallery located in Marian Hall from August 22, 2016 to May 6, 2017. An opening reception of the exhibit will be held October 6, from 4-6 p.m. The exhibit and reception are free and open to the public.
Dugan’s work portrays a variety of individuals diagnosed with autism. Her objective is quite literally to visualize what autism looks like and "put a face on it.” As a parent of twins with autism, Dugan found there are many faces and facets to the disorder, and that is part of the puzzle in defining autism. Her intention is to the paint the beauty, grace, and fear these individuals face, struggling in our social world on a daily basis.
Dugan has taught a variety of age groups including K-8, college students, and adults. She is professor emerita at Anderson University in Anderson, Indiana. From 1992-2015, she taught numerous courses across a range of media as well as served as an advisor and assisted with the Jesse Wilson Art Gallery at Anderson University. Dugan has been awarded various grants such as the Lilly Scholars Grant in 2007 and the Anderson University Faculty Grant in 1999, 2001, and 2005. Recently, she donated her services to paint portraits of children on the autism spectrum to raise money for the Autism Society of Indiana.
The Marian University Art Gallery is located on the west end of the second floor Marian Hall on the Marian University campus. Gallery hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays, although appointments at later times are welcome. Please contact Gallery Director Crystal Vicars-Pugh at
cvicarspugh@marian.edu for additional information.
