Swarthmore Mural Is First Wheelchair Art in the Region

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Utilizing special rollers, students were able to add their own personal touches to a CADES mural in Swarthmore
Image via CADES
Utilizing special rollers, students were able to add their own personal touches to a CADES mural in Swarthmore

Swarthmore has a new mural that was created with the help of students in wheelchairs, the first large-scale wheelchair art in the Philadelphia area, writes Gina Lizzo for Main Line Today.

Children and Adult Disability and Educational Services (CADES) just completed the mural.

CADES is a Swarthmore-based organization that helps children and adults with intellectual and physical disabilities.

CADES art teacher Edwin Perez brought in Philly-based muralist Nick Dauria to design the mural.

A cloth was laid out on a gymnasium floor, then students in wheelchairs with rollers attached were able to create the art as they glided across the cloth.

Once they finished, Dauria created a collage-style design that blended his art with the students’ work.

 “Some of our kids are nonverbal, so this is one way they get to express themselves and communicate with us,” said CADES staffer Jessica Bowler.

Perez said the students’ faces lit up when they saw the mural.

Swarthmore Mayor Marty Spiegel called the mural an “inspired” piece of art.

“We’re so lucky to have it here in Swarthmore, and I hope people have an opportunity to come through and really enjoy it,” he said.

Read more about the CADES mural at Main Line Today.

Check out this video showing the making of the CADES mural in Swarthmore.

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