“Out of the Blue,” the Community Artists’ Collective’s exhibition opening Saturday, April 5, at 5 p.m. features the works of Janice Warren and Joseph Dixon, whose art expresses their life’s journey through the complex maze of raising, educating and advocating for children on the autism spectrum, as well as for their own.

The exhibit, which runs through May 24, coincides with National Autism Awareness Month in April.

Warren’s compilation is a series of thought-provoking imagery of abstract and mixed media works that capture the emotional exertion families face while raising a child with autism or other related developmental impairments.

Dixon presents works from his Faces of Autism series, a body of works in pencil and acrylic that features images of students with special needs that he has been involved with since 2008. These works capture moments in time that depict their personality and passions. This ongoing work in progress is an effort to promote awareness of individuals living with autism and other related learning and physical challenges. 

“Out of the Blue” is a continuous effort to educate the community about autism spectrum disorders (ASD), more commonly known as autism, a complex neurobiological disorder that typically lasts throughout a person's lifetime.

Two workshops and talks are open to the public during the exhibition. On Saturday, April 12, artist Akua Fayette will moderate a documentary film screening and artist talk. The two artists will lead an “Art on the Spectrum Workshop” Saturday, May 3, from 10 a.m. until 12 noon.

An invitation-only workshop for professional development training, “Inclusion in the Classroom,” will be held Saturday, May 17, from 2 to 4 p.m.

The Collective is open Thursday through Saturday from 12 noon until 5 p.m. and by appointment. For more information about the exhibit contact The Collective at 713-523-1616 or visit www.thecollective.org.