Seth Chwast, who was diagnosed with autism as a very young child, lived for years in a world of roller coasters, haunted houses, and classical music.  A dramatic change came in 2003, when at age 20 he took an oil painting class at the Cleveland Museum of Art.  Seth, who rarely speaks, began describing his world in paint.  It turned out that he has an innate ability to mix colors and create amazing works of art that reflect his vision of his world and the world around him. 

Seth’s art is a journey.  Invisible and under the radar, he began painting horses, auroras, whales and self-studies in his home.  To help explain Seth and his art, his mother, Debra, produced an 8-minute documentary DVD titled “A Different Kind of Journey,“ which was accepted into the Ohio Independent Film Festival in November 2004.  It was later seen by the staff of The Today Show, which led to a feature segment about Seth that aired on January 3, 2007.

By this time, the Chwast home was quite literally filled with art.  Seth had produced 30 small watercolor paintings and 74 large paintings in oil and acrylic, including 2 horses, a self-study and 3 aurora paintings that were each 70” x 84.” It was a world of color and joy. People who visited walked around in wonder, smiling and laughing.

In March 2007, Seth began to travel.  After experiencing Costa Rica, Seth’s art exploded with the colors of the tropics.  A trip to Galapagos was planned.  Meanwhile, Seth had solo exhibits at University Hospital of Case Western Reserve University and at the Cleveland Clinic, and sold nearly 30 paintings. He received yet another call from The Today Show, asking if he would like to be featured again on New Year’s Day 2008 as their most inspirational story of the year.  By the time they returned to film him, Seth was painting full-time and in one year had produced another 116 paintings.

Seth traveled to Galapagos, showed his art, and scheduled his first international exhibition, opening on March 28, 2008.  Filled with confidence and excitement, Seth began talking about a trip to the Cayman Islands, and plans were made to travel there.  Arriving on January 31, 2008, Seth and his mother met with the Director of the National Gallery, where an exhibition of his work is now scheduled from October 23, 2008 through March 2009.  Seth’s second trip to Galapagos included an opening reception at the John Madjeski Gallery for his exhibition there.  150 people were invited, including the Mayor and the Governor of Galapagos, and Seth and the exhibit were featured on national television.  He met with Graham Watkins, Director of the Charles Darwin Foundation, who invited Seth to be their artist. 

In addition to these international exhibits, Seth has been invited to participate in the Art Omi International Artists Residency in Columbia County in July 2008.  He regularly flies to New York to paint with Kip Frace, a bold, edgy, accomplished artist, creating Manhattan cityscapes and mobiles.  This work has been commissioned by Perry Finkelman, Managing Director of the American Development Corporation for the lobbies of a series of luxury condominiums in New York City.  Locally, Seth has been asked to be the artist for Darwin’s 200^th birthday celebration at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History and to paint and sculpt in public in their galleries.

Seth Chwast is autistic.  He cannot safely cross the street.  Moms of autistic children know he is autistic in 30 seconds.  And they also know his art is powerful and moving in 30 seconds. When he crossed the equator, moms speaking Spanish were stroking Seth and crying with joy and hope.   Seth is an icon for anyone who has been in a hopeless situation, was invisible and ignored, and then triumphs and bursts into beauty and glory.  He is autistic and he lives in a state of bliss.  His art conveys his contagious sense of joy, happiness, and beauty, and his story inspires.

Seth’s work can be viewed on-line and is also available for purchase as original fine art, limited edition prints, t-shirts, and note cards. Purchase inquiries can be made on-line or by contacting 216-664-9600.