Larry Costello was born and raised on Long Island and is a 1976 graduate of Dowling College. After a brief stint in advertising art and design, he followed his heart and used his degree in special education to teach art and communication skills to handicapped youngsters in upstate New York. In 1979, just days before turning 25, Larry suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) when he fell asleep while driving one evening after school. He nearly drowned as his car careened into Lake Oswego.

Larry survived, but he was left with quadriplegia and has memory deficits and speech impairments. He spent 33 years in rehabilitation and hospitals and nursing homes before he was able, 4 years ago, to begin living independently in his own apartment with ongoing supports from his family and NY State.

Despite his ordeal he retains his sharp wit and a refreshing sense of humor and always retained his love of art. His dominant left hand is totally paralyzed and Larry learned, while still in a nursing home, to do computer graphics with his right hand. Though his “good” hand is partially paralyzed, Larry loves to use his creativity in art to connect himself to the world again and share his talents with his fellow man.

Larry’s work has been exhibited at: the Hofstra University Business Development Center, 2002; the Visions of NY Cerebral Palsy Association Conference in Albany NY, 2004; the Art League of Long Island in Huntington NY, 2014; the Disabled Artist’s Guild at Port Jefferson Gallery at the Civic Center and at the YMCA, Patchogue NY, 2016; the Bay Area Friends of the Fine Arts (BAFFA) Gallery, Sayville NY, 2016; the Time To Play Foundation’s Win at Life Conference and Exhibition, Holtsville NY, 2017 and at the East End Arts Council gallery in Riverhead NY, 2018.

If you like his art, Larry can be contacted at LARCOS@YAHOO.COM .

Or call Larry’s friend, Carlo Callo at 516-857-7444