Gallery - 2000 and Earlier
Photo Descriptions:Grace Walker Goad
Christmas, 1999, Warner Park; photo by Leisa A. Hammett "Up and Down"
Watercolor on newsprint; private collection
This early work was created by the first person to facilitate the art process with Grace--her first art therapist, Jennifer Hudgins Christian. It demonstrates Grace's extraordinary use of color and was significant in that Hudgins had coaxed Grace to move from circular scribble patterns to up and down strokes, which is a precursor to handwriting. The original "Up and Down" was exhibited in the US Senate-Dirksen Building, in Washington, D.C., at the 2001 Creative Arts Therapies on the Hill conference where Grace's mother, Leisa A. Hammett, spoke about the importance of creative arts therapies in Grace's life and the need for these modalities and expressions for all people with disAbilities. Former U.S. House Speaker, Senator Bill Frist, MD, was presented the original of this work as a gift from Grace's family for his work in ushering the Children's Health Act of 2000 through Congress. The Act was the first to significantly recognize the disproportionate funding for the epidemic numbers of autism and to begin funding more research for the disorder. The Act kick started a new era for autism awareness and research.
Untitled (Collage Play)
Mixed media collage; not for sale
An hour of play at the Frist Center for Visual Art's Martin ArtQuest. "Mommy"
Mixed media on cardboard; not for sale
After art therapist Jennifer Hudgins Christian completed a session with Grace, she asked Grace who the person she created was: "Mommy!"
Foot
Clay; not for sale
"Foot" is another example of Grace's sense of intention when she creates. Art therapist Jennifer Hudgins Christian had to back away as Grace wielded a meat pounder high into the air above her head and pounded the clay with force, creating the three dimensional texture in the clay. Yet, she did not pound three special spots where she stamped and adhered a different color clay. This piece was selected to be featured in a book on art therapy. The book was never finished and published.
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