‘Beyond Words: Healing With the Arts After Stroke’ exhibit heads to Huntington Public Library

Now through October 29, the Huntington Public Library, 338 Main St., Huntington will present Beyond Words: Healing With the Arts After Stroke, a unique gallery exhibition by artist Robyn Bellospirito.

For one year after the artist had a series of strokes in 2022, she only painted abstracted circles and many of these will be in the exhibition. The exhibition will also include more representational paintings that were done more recently, along with art works incorporating words and phrases provided by fellow stroke survivors. 

The range of artistic styles of Bellospirito’s art has changed with the artist’s healing process. “My strokes left me with mild aphasia, making art and music far easier than words. I have created many new paintings for this exhibition that are visual representations of non-verbal language, particularly as it is interpreted through themes of music and nature. My intention is to share how I have used art and music to express myself so that others might feel inspired to find their own voice through creative mediums,” she said.

Bellospirito has noticed by attending stroke support groups and through her own healing process that though there is a lot of assistance available to stroke survivors for physical recovery, finding help for the emotional trauma of brain injury is not so easy. Not many psychologists are familiar with strokes and the grief, frustration, and sense of loss of self that many stroke survivors experience. 

Furthermore, if a stroke survivor has any level of aphasia which is a communication issue, not only does the person have difficulty expressing their thoughts and needs, but it can be incredibly isolating. Through this exhibition, the artist is hoping to raise awareness for this under-served community.

An artists reception will be held on Sunday, Oct. 6 from 1 to 4 p.m., with a presentation by Bellospirito from 2 to 3 p.m that includes interactive art and music experiences in which all will be invited to participate.

This program is made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regrant Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature and administered by The Huntington Arts Council, Inc.

For more information, call 631-427-5165.