FILM SCREENING AND PANEL DISCUSSION - ARTS: POSSIBILITIES, DISABILITIES AND THE ARTS

This is a FREE event!

Montalvo celebrates national Autism Awareness Month with a screening of Keri Bowers' film, "ARTS," which focuses on possibilities, disabilities and the arts, followed by a short performance from musician Nick Guzman and a conversation about autism with the filmmaker, local families living with autism and other guests.

"ARTS" features luminaries in the world of disabilities, including Temple Grandin, Geri Jewell, Stephen Shore, Donna Williams, Jerry and Mary Newport, Stephen Wiltshire, Karen Simmons, and other talented artists in the fields of fine art, dance, music, and drama. The film looks at the arts, not just as tools for interventions and skill development, but also as potential career paths for those with disabilities.

Confirmed panelists:

• Keri Bowers
• Santi Rogers
• Christinna Guzman
• Nick Guzman

About Keri Bowers:

Bowers is a speaker, filmmaker and disabilities advocate. Having worked in the disabilities field for more than 21 years, Bowers' hands-on work with hundreds of kids and adults in the facilitation and design of summer and winter camps, community-based social and life skill groups, and a variety of workshops, along with parenting a child with special needs, have provided her with a unique perspective: the professional and the parent. Beginning with the publication of her first book, Single Pregnancy, Single Parenting (1995), Bowers began to hone her skills as speaker and media guest, designing and developing numerous annual community-based educational events, which continue to support a better understanding of disabilities today. She has made three films focused on disabilities: "Normal People Scare Me," "The Sandwich Kid" and "ARTS."

Her work has been featured on CNN/Paula Zahn Now, PBS/California Connected; The Today Show; Extra, and with news segments throughout the country on NBC, CBS, ABC, and FOX. Magazines, including People, Spectrum, Scholastic, and a cover story in The Autism Perspective Magazine have featured her work in film and public education. The Centers for Disease Control, school districts, universities/colleges, pharmaceutical, hospitals, other organizations have used the film "ARTS" for in-service and educational purposes.

About Nick Guzman

Nick Guzman's mother, Christinna, said, "Music has been Nick's crossover from days filled with frustration and insecurity to self acceptance through his love of performing. It has been a gift that helps him continue to grow." Guzman has had an ear for music nearly his entire life. He started piano and guitar lessons at age 11 and has also sung in various choirs throughout his life. In 2006, Joey Travolta came to San Jose to teach his film camp for autistic children and Guzman was recognized for his musical talent and performance opportunities quickly followed. In 2008, Travolta and his music composer friend, Jeff Lass, co-wrote a song for Nick called "Since We're Friends." The filming of that music session was included in Bowers' film.