Idea for Gallery -- Thoughts?

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I've been looking through the "Display your Artwork" thread, and I'm just in awe of some of the things I've seen! Let me start by asking how many of you have your artwork in galleries?

Anyway, it dawned on me as I was clicking through more than a hundred pages that it would be very cool to open a gallery in New York (where I live) that features artwork only from artists on the spectrum. I know that "Outsider Art" shows and the like have been done, but is there a permanent gallery anywhere just for autistics? I've done some limited google searching, and it doesn't look like it. Who knows though? Maybe it's been done to death and I'm just late to the party (and not a very proficient Internet searcher).

If there isn't one, though, I think there should be. Not because "we can paint pretty pictures, too" or because we're outsiders with weird and creepy ideas that NTs find "edgy." I just think that we have something unique to say about the world and that some of us do that amazingly well through visual means.

Now, I know f*all about running an art gallery, but my GF worked at one for a long time. I'll get her thoughts on the logistics. What do you all think about the substance?

P.S. Can anyone think of a better name for it than "Spectrum"?

I have kind off an exhibition, but it's not on the gallery. Someone let me hang some paintings in this place where teenagers meet (I don't know what it's called in english). I thought that the exhibit was temporary, but they still haven't ask me to take down the paintings, so I don't know how long it's gonna go on, lol. I've sold some stuff on the internet too and sometimes I take orders from people who want a special kind of painting.
I've never heard of an exhibit with only artists on the spectrum, but it sounds like a great idea.

I think it's a great idea. I'd guess ASD people have a harder time getting gallery showings anyway, because I get the impression that there's a lot of "who you know" stuff going on in the art world.

I'm intrigued! And yes, I like the idea. A lot.

I have a question, though, for all the artists here. It doesn't deal directly with your gallery idea, but it might be pertinent. You can always tell me to go ask it elsewhere.

There's a group on Flickr called "Outsider Brains". In the words of the group's creator, it is for "Art done by people with Tourette's Syndrome, ADD, Autism, Asperger's, Schizophrenia or any other organic brain disorder. The goal of this group is to showcase the unusual beauty that can come from an unusual mind." I have Tourette Syndrome and OCD, so I joined. One of the things I like about the group is that the art really is different. It's far from mainstream. The disappointing part for me is that I look at my own work (I'm a photographer) and I don't see that difference. I don't doubt my own DX, but I'm sad it doesn't have more of an influence on my art.

So here's the question: Is there a recognizable difference between mainstream art and art created by people on the spectrum? I do not mean to offend with this question. I am genuinely curious. (And yes, I'm reading through the "Show us your artwork" thread.) I think the answer to this question may have a big impact on the success of your gallery idea. As you said, the gallery shouldn't be based on the idea of "we can paint pretty pictures, too". It should be based on the idea that these artists have a unique vantage point from which to experience the universe and share that experience with an audience who cannot see the universe that way themselves.

It's a nice idea, RainingRoses, I don't know if I have anything to add to what's already been said.

There is a group on Facebook calling itself Artists and Autism: http://www.facebook.com/ArtistsandAutism

RainingRoses, I think that's more the point: You showed it to someone in the art world, and they saw a palpable difference they could put into words. Given that, it's at least worth pursuing to see if there's enough interest from art buyers to support a gallery.