Ringling artist creates autism murals at SMART in Manatee

MANATEE -- Saturday is the eighth annual World Autism Awareness Day, and thanks to a unique partnership between an artist and a nonprofit riding-therapy agency, it won't be overlooked in Manatee County.

Natalie Palumbo, a motion design major from Ringling College of Art and Design, created two murals at Sarasota Manatee Association for Riding Therapy, commonly known as SMART, to honor the day.

The murals will be showcased to the public during a special World Autism Awareness Day event 1-4 p.m. April 23 at SMART, 4640 County Road 675, Bradenton. The event will provide fun and refreshment for friends and family of those with autism, said event spokeswoman Gail Clifton.

Activities during the program include a local jazz and reggae band, a bounce house for kids, face painting, BBQ and soft drinks from the Rusty Bucket, Clifton said.

Palumbo's inspiration for the murals, one of which shows a young girl standing in front of horse and holding its reins and another of a young boy touching his forehead to a horse's nose, comes from growing up with her older brother, Anthony, who has a form of autism called "low-verbal."

"I began drawing to cope with the loneliness that we couldn't talk to each other," Palumbo said.

"Anthony loved to watch me draw, so I used my art to communicate with my brother. His unique way of looking at the world has had a big influence on my work."

Since the color blue has been adopted for autism awareness, Firkins Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram has provided a bright blue Jeep Wrangler during photo shoots highlighting the event this month.

Richard Dymond, Herald reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7072 or contact him via Twitter@RichardDymond.

This story was originally published March 31, 2016 at 11:23 PM with the headline "Ringling artist creates autism murals at SMART in Manatee ."