“It is a miracle when things work out, because each child is different. We try to find the key… and for one child it will be art.”
Joan Craig, founder with husband Jack Craig of Autism Nova Scotia, and mother of adult son on the Spectrum
This exhibition celebrates the artistic accomplishments of the young people who participated this past year in the very successful Autism Arts Saturday art classes at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia in Halifax. Since 2006, the Gallery has worked in partnership with Autism Nova Scotia and The Craig Foundation to provide a range of visual art experiences for children and youth, ages 6 – 22, on the autism spectrum.
Autism Arts is a recreational art program which provides a safe and supportive environment for participants to express themselves creatively. It also provides a natural and organic social environment that encourages interaction and acceptance. In these classes, artist Agne Kubiliute, works in collaboration with Reese Cheng, the Autism Support Coordinator from Autism Nova Scotia, to facilitate the program with the support of outstanding volunteers.
The artist ensures that a well-designed and stimulating art program is offered including “Gallery Walks” to view artworks. The projects presented here were designed by the artist to invite experimentation with a variety of artistic processes and materials. The nature of each project encouraged participants to express and communicate their thoughts and ideas while taking into consideration the technical elements of making art.
