Aspire of WNY’s fiscal conference room has taken flight—literally. Once a blank space, it now bursts with color, texture, and meaning, thanks to a stunning new art installation created by Aspiring Artists from the agency’s iXpress Program! Four vibrant birds—an owl, dove, eagle, and peacock—soar across the walls, each symbolizing a unique personality and approach to teamwork.
It all started with a single painting. Years ago, Jen Ball, Chief Financial Officer at Aspire of WNY, fell in love with a peacock piece at the agency’s Art and Wine event. With its funky textures and saturated colors, she gave the peacock a home in her office. But something was missing.
Fast-forward to a meeting of Aspire of WNY’s OASIS workgroup, a team dedicated to improving workplace communication. Inspired by Ann Van Eron’s OASIS books, the group explores how people approach conversations and problem-solving, encouraging open, judgment-free discussions. As part of this initiative, they took the “bird test,” a personality assessment that categorizes individuals as peacocks, doves, eagles, or owls—each representing a different way of thinking and collaborating.
When Jen took the test, she discovered she was an owl. Suddenly, her beloved peacock started to seem a little lonely, hanging up on her wall by itself. She started to envision the full flock, with each bird representing the diverse personalities and talents that make up the agency.
Wanting to bring this vision to life, she turned to iXpress art facilitator Terry Lair, who recruited talented Aspiring artists from the Mall Blvd. Day Hab program. The iXpress program encourages individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) to express themselves through artistic mediums, and reinforces that participants are first and foremost artists, who happen to have disabilities.
“They love making art, especially when it’s something meaningful,” Terry shares. The artists eagerly began their work, layering acrylic paint, molding paste, and even a touch of glitter to bring each bird to life in what Terry describes as an “abstract art deco” style.
Beyond the lively colors and textures, the pieces represent a deeper truth: every voice matters, every perspective adds value, and there is beauty to be found in collaboration here at our agency.
“We’re really making a conscious investment in helping people grow, personally and professionally,” explains Renee Filip, President and CEO at Aspire of WNY. “In terms of just going through these exercises—OASIS group and the bird test—everything that we’re doing is all tied together and for the big stretch of providing the best possible services that we can for the people that we support.”’
