On Thursday, October 8, 2015, three prestigious members of the Philadelphia art community judged over 400 entries of art by nearly 200 artists for the 2015 Art Ability Exhibition and Sale at Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital.

The 2015 Award Judges were Roberta Fallon, Director of The Artblog; Deirdre Murphy, Adjunct Professor at the University of Pennsylvania; Anthony Vega, Adjunct Professor at the University of Delaware and Penn State Brandywine. There were seven prize categories defined by medium as well as by a special theme, “Landscapes”. In addition, each judge selected their favorite work and they chose a “Best in Show” collaboratively. Winning artists will receive cash prizes ranging from $50 to $1,000. Prizes are funded through generous donations from members of the Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital community, board and staff.

The judging process took a full morning of thoughtful discussion; taking into consideration the subject, composition and aesthetic of each piece. The judges were impressed with the caliber of work presented by Art Ability artists, and only after the judging was complete did the participants learn more about an artist’s region, age or disability.

Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital’s Art Ability is an integral program of the hospital and a year-round showcase and celebration of artists with disabilities. The program includes the country’s largest, international juried exhibition and sale of art and fine crafts created by artists with cognitive, physical, hearing and visual disabilities.

In its 20th year, Art Ability will open with a Preview Reception on Saturday, November 7, 2015 at Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital in Malvern. Purchase tickets for this event by contacting the Art Ability Office at 484.596.5607. Beginning Sunday, November 8, the Art Ability Exhibition and Sale will be open daily and is free to the public through January 31, 2016.

Art Ability is supported by generous grants from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts and the William Penn Foundation as well as Presenting Sponsor, Construction Services Group. For additional information about Art Ability 2015, including group tours and the Preview Reception, please contact the Art Ability Office at 484.596.5607 or visit mainlinehealth.org/artability.

_{(L to R) Sherman Fleming, Curator, Art Ability; Anthony Vega, Adjunct Professor, University of Delaware and Penn State Brandywine; Roberta Fallon, Director, The Artblog; Deirdre Murphy, Adjunct Professor, University of Pennsylvania}

Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital, part of Main Line Health, is a leader in the field of physical medicine and rehabilitation. The 148-bed, not-for-profit hospital offers the full continuum of rehabilitation services, including acute inpatient care, as well as outpatient services for adults and adolescents. The hospital received Magnet® designation, the nation’s highest distinction for excellence in nursing care, and is accredited by the Joint Commission; is designated as a NICHE facility and is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital treats patients with traumatic and non-traumatic brain injury, stroke and other neurological disorders, traumatic and non-traumatic spinal cord injury, amputations, and orthopaedic injuries. Bryn Mawr Rehab Outpatient Network treats individuals with a wide range of conditions and injuries from brain injury, spinal cord injury and Parkinson’s disease to concussions, pelvic floor disorders and lymphedema. Our outpatient rehabilitation services are conveniently located throughout the western suburbs of Philadelphia.