top of page
Autistic Creatives
Interviews | Au(r)tistic Podcast
Podcast - 5 Walls That Welcome
00:00 / 31:29
About Our Guest
Walls That Welcome
Garrett McCarthy
Garrett McCarthy is a versatile artist specializing in murals, fine art on canvas, and historic building preservation. Based between Springfield, MA, and Henderson Harbor, NY, he brings history to life through large-format oils of landmark architecture and transforms public and private spaces with his dynamic murals. Garrett’s work combines technical mastery with an appreciation for heritage, creating pieces that are visually striking and historically resonant. His artistry also extends to decorative techniques such as faux marbleizing and restoration.
In addition to his studio work, Garrett is a dedicated art educator. He currently teaches full-time for Holyoke Public Schools and part-time at Mill Pond School in Massachusetts. Over nine years at West Springfield, he traveled between three schools, teaching over 900 students per week and introducing innovative methods in the visual arts. Garrett’s teaching emphasizes creativity, technical skill, and fostering an appreciation for art in students of all ages.
About this episode
Garrett McCarthy, muralist, fine artist, and preservationist, shares how early mentorship, and classical training shaped his teaching and public art. He outlines strategies to engage autistic and neurodivergent students: build familiarity, offer choice, and use tactile or 3D materials. We explore murals at scale, including planning, gridding or projection, and student collaboration. Garrett reflects on community projects, including post-storm restoration, and how place-based art nurtures belonging. He advises young artists to experiment for joy, protect creative time, and set clear expectations with clients.
He also shares classroom tips, practical resources, and ideas for inclusive studios to support diverse learning profiles.
About Our Guest
Michael A. Coppage
Michael Coppage is a conceptual artist using an interdisciplinary, dialectical approach to address social
issues stemming from language. Originally from Chicago, He has lived and worked in Cincinnati since
2007. Coppage earned a B.F.A in Sculpture from Memphis College of Art and an M.F.A in Studio Art from
The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. Coppage is the recipient of Artswave’s Truth and
Reconciliation grant, Ohio Pretrial Justice grant, and received Awesome Foundation grants in New York
and Philadelphia. He completed a TEDx Talk titled “Everybody’s Racist….and it’s O.K” and he gained
national attention with his recent project “BLACK BOX” a community impact project that has impacted
over 2,000,000 people in 43 countries. His work has been exhibited at several museums nationally and is
in both public and private collections.
Canvas of Resilience
Podcast - 4 Canvas of Resilience
00:00 / 26:12
About this episode
A dedicated father to an autistic son and a passionate social justice advocate, Michael shares his journey as a visual artist working across multiple media and tackling themes of race, language, and environmental justice. The conversation explores how his personal experiences, especially as a parent, inform his art, the importance of authentic lived experiences in creative work, and how art can serve as a catalyst for dialogue on complex social issues. Michael also discusses his creative process, the intersection of advocacy and artistry, and the projects he’s currently pursuing.
About Our Guest
Talisha Norton
Talisha Norton is the proud mother of two children on the autism spectrum who lives in Southwest Arkansas. She is a graduate of Henderson State University where she received a Bachelor of Science in Education, before teaching for 15 years at 4 different schools: Fair Park Elementary in Little Rock, Arkansas, Ponderosa Elementary at Fayetteville, North Carolina, Phyllis Ruth Miller Montessori Magnet School in Miami, Florida, and Somerset Academy in Miramir, Florida. A pre-K -3rd grade teacher, and a Math Interventionist for student struggling with arithmetic she was attuned to learner variability, always finding ways to accommodate all of her students. She continue to advocate strongly to ensure her kids and others like the receive access to an equitable education.
Journeys of Grace
Podcast 3 - Journeys of Grace
00:00 / 14:47
About this episode
Autism moms often experience extreme stress, exhaustion, and constant vigilance, especially since many autistic children struggle with recognizing danger and may also have ADHD. Black autistic children are frequently misunderstood and mislabeled due to racial bias, making advocacy and documentation essential for parents. Parents are encouraged to learn about autism, build strong communication with schools, and push for appropriate support plans like IEPs and 504s. Art can serve as a calming and expressive outlet for autistic children, with some preferring abstract forms and others gravitating toward cartoon-style illustrations that often include storytelling elements.
About Our Guest
Warda Dani Mustafa Quintana
Warda is a Palestinian-Colombian individual passionate about combining advocacy, the arts, and community. Having immigrated to the United States at a young age, their passion for language justice became a key motivator of their studies at Georgia State University. It continued in their current career and advocacy work at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, where they focus on creating and expanding the accessible and inclusive content the museum offers for the communities that come to visit. Warda also focuses on helping organize spaces of political education about Palestine as well as combining their love for the arts to support the efforts of fundraising for their community in Palestine with events and organizations such as Atlanta Radical Art, Palestinian Youth Movement, and Palestine Lives On. community for BIPOC artists in the Atlanta area.
Stories of Resilience
Podcast 2 - Stories Of Resilience
00:00 / 27:12
About this episode
A 2015 study in Frontiers in Psychology found that autistic children showed advanced creative thinking in drawing tasks. Notable figures include Stephen Wiltshire, a British artist known for his photographic memory and intricate cityscapes, Temple Grandin, who is most known for animal science, but discussed the visual and artistic strengths of autistic individuals, and also Thristan Mendoza, a Filipino marimba prodigy with autism. Unfortunately, misconceptions about autism sometimes lead to undervaluing their artistic contributions. Please listen to my interview with Warda as they offer insights and experiences connected to this intersection.
About Our Guest
Abigail Hailu
Abigail Hailu is a college freshman who is the elder sibling of a younger brother with autism. From sitting in on her brother's Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapies to occupational therapy (OT), she became inspired very early to support kids with autism, beyond her brother. Born and raised in the Los Angeles, with parents from Ethopia, she was also attuned to cultural stigmas associated with neurodivergence. Unfortunately in many Black communities and particularly African immigrant families there is incredible stigma around seeking support for autism.
Voices Of Advocacy
Podcast1 - Voices Of Advocacy
00:00 / 11:38
About this episode
In America, according to the CDC, ADDM reports have consistently noted that more white children are identified with ASD than Black or Hispanic children. A difference in identifying Black and Hispanic children with ASD relative to white children means these children may not be getting the services they need to reach their full potential. The Black Autism Network seeks to build community and provide resources to advocates who value the intersection of African culture and autism.
bottom of page