As part of World Autism Month, the Trinity Community Art Center in Northport is hosting a solo exhibition by local artist Erich Preis, whose large-scale paintings explore life with autism. The show, titled Reflections of Autism, has drawn strong community interest since opening earlier this month and runs through Sunday, April 27.
Preis, who has been painting since age 9, uses what he calls “super-sized” works to convey the intersection of autism and artistic expression.
According to his website, he studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in Philadelphia and draws inspiration from artists such as Edwin Dickinson and El Greco. His work often tackles weighty themes. One of his featured paintings, “Salvation,” presents apocalyptic imagery, but Preis said it also contains an element of hope.
“The Community Art Center was developed to be able to promote artists like Erich and specific causes in our community that really affect people’s lives in a certain way,” said Bob Hendrick, who opened the center almost one year ago with his wife Nancy.
“Every month we make sure we have different types of artists, whether they have different challenges or just younger artists, or older artists,” he told South Shore Press. “It’s all about community development, and we have done all this under the guidance of Father Andrew Garnett of Trinity Episcopal Church.”
The center is located at St. Bede’s House on the church grounds at 130 Main St. and is typically open Thursdays through Saturdays from noon to 4 p.m.
With April bringing national attention to autism, Hendrick said the center wanted to use the occasion to highlight a condition that affects communication, social interaction and sensory processing for millions.
Preis’ exhibition has received a strong response, with Hendrick calling it “incredible” since its early April opening. The closing reception will be held Sunday, April 27, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., followed by a sensory-friendly service at Trinity Episcopal Church at noon.
Hendrick said that after visiting Preis’ studio, he and his wife were “absolutely stunned by the amazing works” and immediately knew he was the right choice for the month’s exhibition.
“People are truly engaged with his work, and so many families have come in that have autistic children or people that they know who have it… they were brought to tears because his artwork really reflects his inner emotions,” Hendrick said.
“I’m on the (autism) spectrum and it (painting) helps me like art therapy,” Preis said.
Preis, who majored in art therapy, also founded Spirit of Huntington, an organization that supports individuals with autism through creative programs. “I think the teaching that I do helps,” he said.
Themes in his artwork include man versus machine, which Preis said resonates more than ever in the age of artificial intelligence and the threat of nuclear weapons.
“It expresses the darker side of technology,” he said. “I think technology can be a good thing but it could also be a dangerous thing.”
Preis also explores 9/11 in his work, including the loss of his friend, U.S. Navy veteran Michael Noeth. His spiritual reflections are seen in works like “Salvation,” which depicts souls being escorted to heaven.
The Trinity Community Art Center also offers poetry readings and author events as part of its mission to support creativity in the region.
“Northport is really a wonderful vibrant community, but they did not have anything like this—nothing really centered on individual creatives and families like this in a gallery environment,” Hendrick said.
For more information, visit www.trinityec.com.