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Autism Paints Documentary Premieres in Huntington

autism paints
Filmmaker David Stagnari Director of Autism Paints & Founder of the Spirit of Huntington Art Center Erich Preis
Photo by Ed Shin

Autism Paints Documentary Premieres in Huntington

The Spirit of Huntington Art Center recently presented the world premiere of the documentary film Autism Paints at the Cinema Arts Centre in Huntington. The documentary is about the origins of the charity organization that grew from one artist’s quest to fulfill a dream of opening an art school for students with special needs.

A special panel discussion before the screening featured founder and artist Erich Preis, Producer/Director David Stagnari, Board Member and Real Estate Developer Dominic Mavellia, and Charles Evdos, executive director of RISE Life Services, and was moderated by Michael Kitakis, executive director of The Spirit of Huntington Art Center. The panel brings us up to date on what happened after filming concluded, and where Erich, his students, and the organization are today.

Filmed on Long Island and completed in 2017, the documentary introduces us to Erich Preis, an artist diagnosed with ASD who lovingly and stubbornly restored a vacant space that was overlooked. His goal was to provide the community with public art through projects created by young community members facing the challenges of autism in pursuit of creative expression. Autism Paints highlights the importance of inclusion and diversity in the arts, and the amazing, restorative power of self-expression through art.

The Spirit of Huntington Art Center today is a thriving, vibrant community hub for self-expression for all ages, all abilities, where all are welcome.

autism paints
Linda Germain, Dominick Mavellia, Ashley Herkommer & Cathy KitakisPhoto by Ed Shin
Image 11 Suzanne Wittenberg Tommy DiMisa
Suzanne Wittenberg & Tommy DiMisaPhoto by Ed Shin
Image 12 Dominick Mavellia
Dominick MavelliaPhoto by Ed Shin
Image 13 Jasmine LoFaro Marie Totora Cathy Kitakis
Jasmine LoFaro, Marie Totora & Cathy KitakisPhoto by Ed Shin
Image 14 Elizabeth Madden Erich Preis
Elizabeth Madden & Erich PreisPhoto by Ed Shin
Image 15 Elizabeth Madden John Tartaglione
Elizabeth Madden & John TartaglionePhoto by Ed Shin
Image 3 Erich Preis
Erich PreisPhoto by Ed Shin
Image 4 Renea Evdos Charles Evdos
Renea Evdos & Charles EvdosPhoto by Ed Shin
Image 5 Michael Kitakis
Michael KitakisPhoto by Ed Shin
Image 6 Erich Preis Charles Evdos Michael Kitakis
Erich Preis, Charles Evdos & Michael KitakisPhoto by Ed Shin
Image 7 Erich Preis Geraldine Parinello
Erich Preis & Geraldine ParinelloPhoto by Ed Shin
Image 8 Ashley Herkommer Events Director at Spirit of Huntington Art Center
Ashley Herkommer Events Director at Spirit of Huntington Art CenterPhoto by Ed Shin
Image 9 Erich Preis Dr. Richard Schwarz
Erich Preis & Dr. Richard SchwarzPhoto by Ed Shin