INSPIRE to showcase artists during Down Syndrome Awareness Month

Edmeston, New York, September 27, 2024 … Pathfinder Village will showcase the creative talents of Village artists during the opening of a new exhibit, Inspire, at the gymnasium on Sunday, October 20, from 2 to 5 p.m. The public is invited to the opening, part of Pathfinder’s observance of October as National Down Syndrome Awareness Month.

“The Inspire exhibition shares the exceptional visions of Pathfinder’s artists and showcases their considerable talents and sources of inspiration,” said Pathfinder Village President and Chief Executive Officer Karen Knavel. “This is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy a unique exhibit and connect with artists and the community.”

The exhibit is curated by Colette Dunham, a teaching artist who leads community-based workshops at Pathfinder Village and throughout the area to encourage people of all abilities to express themselves through painting and other visual arts. In the lead-up to the exhibition, the Village will also share selected colorful paintings and multi-media pieces by Pathfinder artists on its social media pages. Other social posts during the month will feature facts and findings about Trisomy 21, as well as employment facts for people with intellectual disabilities, as October is also National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

There are over 350,000 people living with Down syndrome in the U.S. today, and October is celebrated each year as National Down Syndrome Awareness Month. The observance was established in 1991 through an Executive Order by President George H.W. Bush which states, “…we know that many individuals with Down syndrome are both determined and able to lead active, productive lives. Thanks to early intervention and mainstreaming, as well as improved treatment of physical health problems related to Down syndrome, thousands are doing just that.”

Down syndrome is the most common chromosomal replication disorder in humans, affecting about 5,000 babies born each year in the U.S. The condition occurs when a person’s cells have an additional or partial extra copy of chromosome 21.

Other Pathfinder Village Down Syndrome Awareness Month community events include:

• Friday, October 4, 5 p.m.: Down Syndrome Awareness Month Concert with the duo, K.O. Grainger, Village Gymnasium. Free event.

• Wednesday, October 16, 5:30 p.m.: Down Syndrome Awareness Month Community Painting Class with Colette Dunham. Registration is $30 for adults, $15 for children under 12. Pre-registration is required by contacting This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  All painting materials are provided.

• Wednesday, October 23, Noon: The Kennedy Willis Center on Down Syndrome will host a four-part weekly Lunch and Learn webinar series, Navigating Changes of Life: Grief & Loss. Registration is $30 for the entire series; the sessions feature bereavement counselors Arlen Gaines, MSW, LCSW-C, APHSW-C of Rockville, Maryland, and Linda Clark, LCSW of New Hartford.  To register, visit org/innovation-kwc/education.

• Saturday, October 26, 2:30 p.m.: Community Trick-or-Treating. Local families with small children are invited to enjoy Pathfinder’s Haunted Hallway and trick-or-treating, hosted by Pathfinder’s residential homes and the Miller family. Free event, part of the Edmeston area Spookfest & West Edmeston Fire Department Trunk or Treat celebration.

Pathfinder Village is an internationally respected livable community and services provider in upstate New York and was founded in 1980 to provide people with Down syndrome and other disabilities an independent and fulfilling lifestyle. As it works to provide quality supports for individuals with intellectual disabilities, the Village also offers highly successful educational, day services, pre-vocational and outreach programs.  To learn more, visit pathfindervillage.org or visit our fan page on the popular social networking site, Facebook.