Filmmaker Dennis Connors and Alex at BIFFMA

As you probably know by now, Alex’s autism severely inhibits his speech.  He is able to verbalize nouns related to things that he wants/needs, but has very few sentences.  His newest:  “I’m a movie star.”

Among the most common questions that Steve and I are asked is whether Alex is aware of all the attention he and his art are receiving, and whether he enjoys it.  The answer is a resounding “yes” on both counts.   At his exhibitions, Alex commonly stands at a strategic position under the brightest light, in front of a favorite artwork, where he can survey the scene and be available to receive greetings and compliments.  His smile is a mile wide.

When we attend screenings of “Breaking Boundaries:  the Art of Alex Masket” we tell Alex that he is going to be a movie star that day, to prepare him for what is ahead.  Two years ago, that meant local screenings for what I think of as “the little movie that could.”
Before long we were attending screenings in the Berkshires (where one of our favorite actresses, Patricia Clarkson, admired Alex’s artwork and spoke with him), an international film festival in Montreal, and most unbelievably, at the National Gallery of Art, just past an amazing installation by Sol LeWitt.  In the Q & A that followed that screening, Alex stepped right up to the microphone and began singing a wordless tune that he had learned at his day program.   The audience seemed a bit surprised, but our family recognized it for what it was:  Alex seizing his moment.

I hope you’ll take the time to enjoy the film on this website.

The Maskets at the National Gallery of Art: Will, Steve, Alex, Elaine

Our family is very excited about this new website, which gives a more in-depth look at Alex’s artwork and allows us to share the award-winning documentary “Breaking Boundaries: the Art of Alex Masket” with you.

Our goals are to give you an understanding and appreciation of Alex as well as his art, and allow you to share in the excitement of his burgeoning fame. It’s been a rocket ride, and we hope “The Bigger Picture” will encourage you to travel along with us.  I will be writing the posts, in my official capacity as “Momager”.

Thank you for seeking us out. Prepare to blast off!