UnMasked: Exploring Neurodivergent Expression Through Art
“Eh Close Enough”, by Emze Bahney
There’s always something exciting happening at Fairmount, and currently, our space is home to the exhibition, UnMasked, curated by Ray Askew through the Cleveland Institute of Art’s Creativity Works program. UnMasked is a moving collection of mixed media works by local neurodivergent artists, with each piece reflecting personal journeys and revealing creativity, resilience, and unique perspectives on the world. We’re thrilled to partner in hosting this powerful collection at our Novelty campus.
For Askew, the inspiration for UnMasked came from noticing a gap in representation within art history and contemporary spaces.
“When specifically looking into neurodivergent artists and, more so, work that simply has to do with the experiences of existing in a mostly neurotypical world, there was practically an empty space,” Askew shared. “As an artist who works mostly with exploring my own personal experiences, it felt pretty isolating to not have a community to connect to about these experiences once I graduated. So, with curating and designing this exhibition, I really wanted to reach out and find that community, and hopefully be a way for others to find one another.”
Each artist featured in UnMasked was selected not only for the authenticity of their perspective, but also for their local connection.
“As my goal with the show was to really build a foundation of a community,” Askew explained, “I wanted to guarantee that a majority of the artists were currently located nearby.”
The result is a deeply personal and cohesive exhibition that celebrates both individuality and shared understanding. The works range from depictive to abstract and near-surrealist, reflecting moments of vulnerability, acceptance, and discovery.
Among the many pieces on display, Askew points to a few standouts that embody the spirit of UnMasked:
“In my opinion, the sculptural work Eh, Close Enough by Emze Bahney, and the drawing Nothing Left to Teach (but you still inspire me) by Kaylee Ryan,” they said. “Both of these works really emphasize what the show was truly about while being so incredibly visually stunning that I was ecstatic to get my hands on them as a first-time curator.”
While UnMasked was born from a search for connection, its impact extends far beyond the artists themselves.
“I sincerely hope that this exhibition can stand as a way for a gap to be filled between neurodivergence and neurotypicality,” Askew said. “For other people on the spectrum to feel seen and understood, and to give some insight into their experiences for a wider audience.”
Supported by the Fenn Educational Fund and the G.R. Lincoln Family Foundation, UnMasked reminds us that art doesn’t just reflect life, it reveals the courage it takes to live it fully.
We invite you to experience UnMasked for yourself and to celebrate the voices and visions of these talented local artists! The exhibition will be on display at Fairmount Center for the Art’s Novelty location through December 5, 2025, with a closing reception on December 6, 2025 from 2:00-3:00 p.m. Please call (440) 338-3171 to schedule a viewing appointment
“Nothing Left to Teach (but you still inspire me)” by Kaylee Ryan
