John Cronin, the co-founder of John’s Crazy Socks, attended the opening of Art Ability 2023 at the Spirit of Huntington Art Center. There were over 500 pieces of art on display all created by artists with a differing ability.
“I love this art show,” said John. “It is a creative wonderland. There are so many great paintings and drawings.”
John’s Crazy Socks and the Spirit of Huntington Art Center share a mission to show what people with differing abilities can do. If we want to achieve true inclusion, we need to be persistent in showing what they can do. We have to change minds.
Executive Director of the Art Center, Michael Kitakis, said “We want people to see artwork that is beautiful and moving not because it was made by an artist with a disability but because it is beautiful and moving.
John said, “I loved it. These artists are so creative and their artwork is so impressive.”
John met with many of the artists and viewed their artwork. And John met with the founder of the Spirit of Huntington Art Center, Eric Preis, and filmed a video with Michael Kitakis.
Collaborations between John’s Crazy Socks and the Spirit of Huntington Art Center
John’s Crazy Socks and the Spirit of Huntington Art Center collaborate on the Another Face of Beauty: A Fashon and Art who where all the models, performers and artist have a differing ability. This year the Another Face of Beauty Fashion Show will take place on Saturday, October 7 at 2 p.m. on the Chapin Stage in Hecksher Park in Huntington Village. It will be part of the Long Island Fall Festival.
The models will come from John’s Crazy Socks, the Viscardi Center, Special Olympics – New York, the Spirit of Huntington Art Center and Family Residences and Essential Enterprises (FREE).
About the Spirit of Huntington Art Center
The mission of the Spirit of Huntington Art Center is simple: we believe creative expression can transform lives of students with special needs and Veterans by igniting a passion in their lives. The Center expects to continue our primary goals while expanding beyond art and vocational training to encompass education and recreation through additional studies of the arts. You can learn more at their website.
About John’s Crazy Socks
John’s Crazy Socks was inspired by John Lee Cronin, a young man with Down syndrome, and his love of colorful and fun socks—what he calls his “crazy socks.” He and his father, Mark X. Cronin, started the company as a social enterprise with a mission of Spreading Happiness™. With more than 4,000 socks, John’s Crazy Socks is now the world’s largest sock store. More than half their employees have a differing ability, and their Giving Back program has raised over $650,000 for charity partners like the Special Olympics, the National Down Syndrome Society, and the Autism Society of America. Most of all, they are Spreading Happiness™.
For more information about John’s Crazy Socks, visit our webpage, Facebook page, Instagram account, TikTok or YouTube channel. You can also contact us at 631-760-5625 or via email at service@johnscrazysocks.com.
