PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Seven years ago Maeghan Swanson’s son Garrett, now 9 years old, was diagnosed with autism. It was not until she co-founded the Aroostook Autism Support Group with her friend Lisa Brewer, a mother of two autistic girls, that she found a community of people who were facing similar struggles and fears and were connected by their commitment to advocating for their children.
Swanson of Presque Isle is also a photographer, and this month at Wintergreen Arts Center she is displaying a series of photographs of 17 autistic children and adults as well as artwork from those individuals. She hopes that the exhibit, titled “Autistic Faces of Aroostook County,” will promote better understanding and acceptance of people on the autism spectrum.
Twelve-year-old Mia Brewer stands next to her artwork titled “Love” during the First Friday Downtown Art Walk opening of Maeghan Swanson’s “Autistic Faces of Aroostook County” exhibit on April 5. The exhibit features Swanson’s photographs of 17 children and adults who have autism, including Brewer and her sister Ava, 10, as well as artwork from those individuals. (Staff photo/Melissa Lizotte)
“Art is a great avenue to talk about inclusion and awareness” Swanson said. “Having artwork from the individuals with the photographs shows that everybody is an artist and that art can help people get rid of the labels that we sometimes put on them.”
All photographs are of autistic individuals whom Swanson has gotten to know over the years, ranging in age from 3 to 26. Next to each photograph is original artwork from the individual and a written message from a professional or personal advocate that promotes acceptance of autistic people within communities.
Taia Tilley, 17, (left), Blaze Henderson, 7, and Brick McAtee, 7, (right), are three of the individuals showcased in photographer Maeghan Swanson’s exhibit, “Autistic Faces of Aroostook County,” at Wintergreen Arts Center this month. (Staff photo/Melissa Lizotte)
During the opening of her exhibit April 5, as part of the First Friday Downtown Art Walk, Swanson said that she has been taking photographs of both her children — Garrett and 11-year-old Kaeleigh — for years as a way to capture everyday moments of their childhood. While working on the exhibit, Swanson knew she wanted to feature children and adults on the autism spectrum.
“A lot of times people will think of children when they think of autism, but those children become adults, too, and they could be your family members, friends and neighbors,” Swanson said.
Sean Graves, 26, (left), and Billy Sowers, 12, are two of the individuals featured in “Autistic Faces of Aroostook County,” an exhibit by photographer Maeghan Swanson in honor of World Autism Month and National Autism Awareness Month. (Staff photo/Melissa Lizotte)
For many years after Garrett’s diagnosis, Swanson said, he was nonverbal, but recently he has begun to speak more and share more of his feelings and thoughts. His contribution to “Autistic Faces” is a simple, black canvas that he calls “The Dark.”
“He’s a very literal child, so for him that’s what the painting means,” Swanson said.
Nate Everitt, 13, (left), and Austin Haines, 5, are featured in “Autistic Faces of Aroostook County,” a photography and art exhibit, at Wintergreen Arts Center this month. (Staff photo/Melissa Lizotte)
Brewer, also of Presque Isle, has known Swanson since before Garrett was diagnosed and became an early source of support even before they co-founded Aroostook Autism Support Group in 2013. Brewer’s daughters — 12-year-old Mia, who is verbal, and 10-year-old Ava, who is nonverbal — are featured in Swanson’s exhibit.
Throughout her daughters’ childhoods Brewer said her family has been open in talking about their experiences with autism. She hopes that people who view Swanson’s photographs and the artwork from autistic individuals, come away realizing that sometimes peoples’ differences can be a great source of strength.
Ten-year-old Ava Brewer is featured in Maeghan Swanson’s “Autistic Faces of Aroostook County” this month at Wintergreen Arts Center. (Staff photo/Melissa Lizotte)
“My daughters were 2 ½ and 4 years old when they were diagnosed, and advocating for them is something that I’ve been doing everyday,” said Brewer, who also is a teacher for Wintergreen’s preschool program. “I want people to know that these people who have autism are part of our community, too, and that in the end we’re all more alike than we are different.”
Mia Brewer said that she was excited to take part in Swanson’s exhibit and that she was inspired to create a painting of bright colors that surrounded the word “Love.”
Two-year-old Nolan McGrath (left) and 12-year-old Mia Brewer are two of 17 individuals showcased in “Autistic Faces of Aroostook County,” an exhibit in honor of World Autism Month and National Autism Awareness Month, at Wintergreen Arts Center. (Staff photo/Melissa Lizotte)
“I like the creativity, how you can basically do anything with art,” Mia Brewer said.
The community can view Swanson’s “Autistic Faces of Aroostook County” exhibit throughout the month of April, which serves as World Autism Month and National Autism Awareness Month, at Wintergreen Art Center’s 149 State St. location in Presque Isle.
