Donna Nowakoski loves art, and was fortunate enough to join a Day Services location where she can indulge in her favorite pastime. At the East Meadow Art Gallery, Donna spends her weekdays painting, drawing, sewing, or working on the very intricate craft of diamond art.
The popularity of diamond art has grown in popularity in recent years, to the point where many kits with a variety of designs are available online. Donna stumbled onto the craft in 2021 and has been hooked ever since. In the evenings she browses Amazon with her mom to find the next piece to work on. Each one takes her anywhere from several days to weeks to complete.
Her dedication quickly paid off. In her first year, she entered one of her finished pieces into The Arc New York Art Competition.
“I took it to Albany,” Donna said. “It was four years ago. I won second place.”
This year on March 3, she brought fifteen pieces of her artwork to the Franklin Square Public Library to be displayed throughout the month. Donna, who takes classes there, met the Library’s program coordinator Melinda Space who invited her to showcase her artworks.
“We display artists work to beautify our meeting room,” Melinda said. “Plus, it gives artists of all abilities a sense of embracement from the community.”
To get the pieces ready for the showing, Donna bought frames and asked her mom to help frame them.
“I want people to buy them,” said Donna. “I want them to see that I’m a good artist.”
All fifteen pieces are for sale, priced anywhere from $10 to $60. They also range in complexity, as Donna mastered the intricacies of the craft using methods including full drill or half drill. Among them are several animal pieces, including a pair of dolphins leaping from the ocean into the shape of a heart.
“That’s my favorite. I love animals,” Donna said.
She plans to use the proceeds from her sales to purchase an iPad and try her hand at digital art.
In under a week, ten pieces sold. Putting her on track to reach her goal of $250 by the end of the month. The library regularly displays artwork but according to Melinda, Donna is the first artst with a disability to be featured.
“I’m set on changing that,” Melinda said.
She’s open to having other artists display their work, and maybe even present a larger showcase during the summer months. Patrons can view Donna’s diamond art exhibit while attending a program in the library’s meeting room, asking for it at the service desks, or calling and scheduling a visit. All pieces, including those that have been sold, will be available to view until March 31.