Aug. 15, 2022
SAN ANTONIO – The Multi-Assistance Center at Morgan’s Wonderland, or The MAC, is looking for a few more good pieces of art.
Earlier this year, The MAC sought and received 21 original paintings to enhance its new, three-story, 165,000-square-foot home that will open this fall to help solve medical, therapeutic and social-determinants-of-health issues faced by children and adults with special needs. Now that the building is nearing completion, staff has identified spaces for 16 additional original paintings.
Knowledge gained by Morgan’s Wonderland staff through countless interactions with individuals with special needs spurred creation of The MAC, said CEO Allan Castro. Located at Wurzbach Parkway and Thousand Oaks Drive within walking distance of the Ultra-Accessible™, fully-inclusive theme park, The MAC will bring together more than 30 community-based organizations under one roof. Its innovative, “one-stop-shop” MAC Care Model™ will enable individuals with special needs to get the life-improving assistance they need in one location instead of having to crisscross the community seeking help.
“Once again, we are inviting artists throughout the community to submit design concepts for the paintings that will be on display throughout the building,” said Jana Grohman, chief operating officer. “This includes MACers, representatives of community-based organizations offering services at The MAC. The artwork should be based on interpretation of our core values – Empower, Include, Educate, Innovate – and what these words mean in interactions with individuals with special needs.”
Each artist must submit a design concept by Aug. 31. If the review committee accepts the concept, the artist will be notified by Sept. 12 and be provided with acrylic paints to create the approved concept on a 4×5 canvas, Grohman explained. The painting must include The MAC’s basic colors of purple, orange, yellow and green. Additional colors may be used, but no mixing or combining of The MAC colors will be permitted. The final painting must be received by Nov. 7.
For complete details and a submission form, visit www.MorgansWonderlandMAC.com/Make-Your-Mark
When The MAC becomes operational, specially-educated Navigators will guide clients to the providers that can help them and track progress, Castro said. This method of providing services in a coordinated manner will establish a new standard of care, not only in San Antonio but across the nation as well as internationally. More information about The MAC can be found at www.MorgansWonderlandMAC.com.
The MAC is part of Morgan’s Inclusion Initiative, the nonprofit, umbrella organization that coordinates planning, fundraising and communications among the Morgan’s Wonderland “family” of ventures designed with those with special needs in mind and built for everyone’s benefit. These include world-renowned Morgan’s Wonderland; award-winning Morgan’s Inspiration Island splash park; Morgan’s Wonderland Sports complex; and Morgan’s Wonderland Camp, offering a summer-camp-type experience year-round. For more information about Morgan’s Inclusion Initiative, visit www.InclusionStartsHere.com or www.GoInclusion.com.
Ultra-Accessible™ refers to removing both physical and economic barriers that confront children and adults with special needs. This means that those with and without special needs can come together in a fully-inclusive environment for fun and a better understanding of one another.
