The Help Group & Bear Givers Celebrate Young Artists with Autism Spectrum Disorders

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Mar 20, 2012, 06:00 ET

Third Annual Art Show Provides Opportunity for Student Artists & Raises Funds for Arts Programs

SHERMAN OAKS, Calif., March 20, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Help Group is proud to present Through Our Eyes: A Celebration of Young Artists, an exhibit of wonderfully creative original artwork by students of The Help Group's Village Glen and Bridgeport Schools. For the third consecutive year the show is being sponsored by the New York-based nonprofit Bear Givers and exhibited in the main space of the James Gray Gallery at Bergamot Station in Santa Monica, CA. The exhibit will run from March 20th through March 25th and a special reception in honor of the young artists will be held on Saturday, March 24th from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

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Highly regarded for its innovative work in the field of autism education, The Help Group is the largest, most comprehensive nonprofit of its kind in the U.S. Recognizing the tremendous value of the arts, The Help Group is committed to a wide range of arts initiatives including Through Our Eyes. "The arts enable our children to tap into their creativity and self-expression and helps them to build their sense of self-esteem and confidence," said Dr. Barbara Firestone, President & CEO of The Help Group. "We thank Bear Givers and James Gray Gallery for affording our students such a wonderful showcase for their amazing work."

"Through Our Eyes gives children the opportunity to experience the joy of creating art and sharing it with the world. Each year we look forward to meeting the young artists," said Joseph Sprung, Chairman of Bear Givers.

"The James Gray Gallery is proud to nurture a love of the arts among children. We consider it a privilege to provide a venue to honor the talents of children with special needs," said Heidi Gray, Gallery Director.

Through Our Eyes is free and open to the public. More than 100 paintings will be on display and available for sale, with all proceeds benefiting The Help Group's Village Glen and Bridgeport Schools' arts programs The James Gray Gallery is located at the Bergamot Station Art Center, 2525 Michigan Ave., Building D4, Santa Monica, CA 90404. For more information, contact [email protected] or call 818-779-5212.

ABOUT THE HELP GROUP
Founded in 1975, The Help Group is the largest, most innovative and comprehensive nonprofit of its kind in the United States serving children with special needs related to autism spectrum disorders, learning disabilities, ADHD, developmental delays, abuse and emotional problems. The Help Group offers a wide range of innovative autism spectrum disorders programs, and each day, more than 1,400 students ages 3 – 22 attend its autism day schools.

www.thehelpgroup.org www.facebook.com/thehelpgroup http://twitter.com/thehelpgroup

ABOUT BEAR GIVERS
Bear Givers is a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing joy to the lives of children and adults with the symbolic gift of a loveable Teddy Bear. Bear Givers believes that the altruism of some can exponentially affect the lives of many. Its programs facilitate an environment where "givers" are "empowered" by bringing joy to others and by enabling young people with special needs, such as the students of The Help Group, to feel the satisfaction of being able to give back to others. www.beargivers.org

SOURCE The Help Group