Eden School Mural”Wild Night” @DRGreenway’s Olivia Rainbow Galler

Princeton, N.J.— D&R Greenway Land Trust's Olivia Rainbow Gallery Presents Artwork by the Eden Autism School through May 31. "Wild Night" features a perky mural fairly leaping from the walls. Autism students of all ages crafted this evocative, three-dimensional evocation of nocturnal creatures, out and about under the moon. Eyes of intent owls echo a rising moon; bats, fireflies and saucy skunks seek midnight nutrients.

Each year, Eden students create inventive, intensely hued nature art for the Olivia Rainbow Gallery. The exhibition, a work-in-progress, began during April, to celebrate Autism Awareness Month. The works may be enjoyed through May in the Student Gallery of D&R Greenway's Johnson Education Center, One Preservation Place, Princeton. Free. Gallery hours Monday-Friday, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m., closed holidays. 609-924-4646 www.drgreenway.org

Eden staff is known for guiding and inspiring multi-level success with their participants. When the mural was completed, staff brought their young artists to hang it. Eden students particularly respond to bright colors, evoking young Olivia Kuenne, in whose memory this gallery was founded and is maintained. Her passion for nature and her own art skills live anew on this gallery's walls through these young artists' creativity.

Laura Pollack, Communications Coordinator of the Eden School, reminds that "Eden Autism is a recognized leader in improving the lives of children and adults with autism spectrum disorder." Founded in 1975, Eden was "among the first providers to address the need of services across the lifespan – from the point of diagnosis through adulthood. Eden provides expertise in working with … the most challenging and complex behaviors." Rather than grades, Eden's students of many ages belong to Classrooms, as in "Early", "Middle", "Early Childhood Classroom, and so forth. Eden's mission is "to improve the lives of people with autism, - one individual at a time, one family at a time, one community at a time." www.edenautism.org 609 987 0099.

"We are delighted to partner once again with The Eden School," asserts D&R Greenway Land Trust President & CEO Linda Mead. "Both our organizations are vital to the health and well-being of people in central New Jersey and beyond. Eden is nationally recognized as an ever-expanding leader improving the lives of both children and adults with autism. Eden provides everything from early intervention to consultation, and useful seminars with world-renowned experts on the subject of this specialty. Meanwhile, D&R Greenway makes sure our communities have clean drinking water and natural where children and adults can experience the outdoors, achieving healthier lives. So many studies show how important walking in natural surroundings is for human development and the brain."

D&R GREENWAY LAND TRUST celebrates its 30th year of preserving and protecting natural lands, farmlands and open spaces throughout central and southern New Jersey. Through continuous preservation and stewardship -- caring for land and easements to ensure they remain protected and ecologically healthy in perpetuity -- D&R Greenway nurtures a healthier and more diverse environment for people and wild species in seven New Jersey counties. D&R Greenway's official accreditation by the national Land Trust Accreditation Commission was swiftly renewed with high praise. The land trust's mission remains "to preserve and care for land and inspire a conservation ethic, now and for the future." Since its founding in 1989, D&R Greenway's preservation accomplishments have passed the 20,000-acre mark.

The Johnson Education Center, a circa 1900 restored barn at One Preservation Place, Princeton, is D&R Greenway's home. Through programs, art exhibits and related lectures, D&R Greenway inspires greater public commitment to safeguarding land.

About Eden Autism Services

Eden Autism Services is a nationally recognized leader in improving the lives of children and adults with autism, their families, educators and other professionals.

Founded in 1975, Eden was among the first service providers to expand its program to address the needs of individuals on the autism spectrum from the point of diagnosis through adulthood. Eden's programs help to empower the individuals we serve to live full and productive lives.

The Eden School offers early intervention therapy, a year-round program for students aged 3 to 21 and a High School Employment Program. Eden Adult Services provides residential programs, recreational activities, employment training and placement. Eden Outreach provides early intervention services, professional development, recreational activities and consultation for individuals, families, and professionals who are not enrolled in an on-site program.

For more information about Eden Autism Services visit www.edenautism.org or call 609.987.0099

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