A colorful new body of work is now on display in the Guest Artist Gallery on the second floor of the passageway between Upstate University Hospital and the Upstate Cancer Center.

The 20 acrylic-on-canvas paintings are the work of three local artists who work with retired special education teacher and professional painter Jackie Adamo. The artists – Jamie Burke, Sujit Kurup and Richard Meives – are part of a group of adults with autism who paint together in Adamo’s studio at the Delevan Center in Syracuse. All three have been taking private art lessons with Adamo for more than a decade.

“These are young men who have autism but they have very different views on what that means to them,” Adamo said. “All three men expressed a desire to go beyond just lessons so we are excited to be able to show their work together as part of an exhibition.”

Adamo said the three men work together in what they call “Studio 8” at the Delavan. They have each developed their own individual style but also collaborate on techniques, ideas, colors and critique each other’s work, she said.

“I like the idea of being a facilitator in the process,” she said. “I walk around and have questions and ask what do you think? Is it done? Does it work? Do you like these colors?”

Accompanying the work is a statement by each of the artists. “Offering the patterns to be importantly placed onto a canvas is powerful for me, and lovingly, personally, using paint, brush, chalks and sponge, helps my sensory issues to calm and reveal my spirit … it is the ‘work of life,’ and vital in my process to connect on this planet,” Burke wrote. Meives wrote: “I hope to connect on a deeper level by producing images that make people look and talk about important issues. So much of my desire is to generate thoughtful conversation.”

Several of the artists struggle with traditional methods of communicating but are thriving as artists, Adamo said.

Said Kurup: “It is great to have an outlet for my innermost thoughts through my paintings. The canvas is the playground, where my emotions ebb and flow in waves of all hues and color, splashing a vivid mosaic. My non-speaking self is mirrored there, giving me serenity and peace in my art.”

Creating the work on display took a year and all of the pieces are available for purchase, Adamo said. She’s very proud of the exhibit and hopes that despite limited traffic at the hospital due to the ongoing pandemic, that others will be able to enjoy it as well.

“I’m always in awe of these young men,” she said. “They have individual challenges but they have overcome that and have become advocates for each other in their community. They want to be seen as artists; they want their work to stand on its own merits.”

The show will be on display through the end of September. For more information about the artists, Adamo’s studio and lessons or to purchase one of the paintings, email [email protected].