Artwork by local children and teens with special needs will be featured at the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission’s Flyway Gallery during April.
   The exhibit, “Welcome to Our World: Artwork by Children with Different Needs,” runs through Thursday April 29 and includes 65 drawings, paintings, collages and other works. A reception for the artists is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday April 25.

     The artists range from ages 3 to 18 and are members of Putting the Pieces Together, a Lyndhurst-based support group that serves children with autism and other special needs and their families throughout Northern New Jersey. The organization meets weekly and sponsors guest speakers, holiday celebrations, group outings, recreational activities and other events. Some of the children whose work is on display are non-verbal and use art as a means of communication.
    “Our show will hopefully give people a look inside our children’s world and let you see how wonderful they are,” said Deborah Wertalik, president of Putting the Pieces Together. “They are talented, smart, innocent, loving and strong. Our children are our heroes and we are very proud of them.” For more information on Putting the Pieces Together, visit their Web site, www.puttingthepiecestogether.org.
   The Flyway Gallery is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The gallery is located at the Meadowlands Environment Center in Lyndhurst, within DeKorte Park, the home of the NJMC. The park encompasses one square mile of wetlands, nature trails and water views – framed by the New York City skyline – and is a great place for bird watching and enjoying nature in general.
    For directions to DeKorte Park, see the left-hand column of this blog, or call (201) 460-8300.