Artworks of 90 children with disabilities were showcased in an arts exhibit in Quezon City on Monday, July 18.
The “Arts and Disability 20/20: Artful Connections in the Time of Pandemic” special exhibit held at the Farmers Plaza in Araneta City, Cubao presented the combined masterpieces of 64 artists from the QC Kabahagi Center for Children with Disabilities and 26 from the Boundless Possibilities Foundation Inc.
The artworks were shown through digital collages printed on 12 24x48 inches canvases.
QC Kabahagi Center for Children with Disabilities director Karen Sagun shared that the exhibit is the culmination of the inclusive arts sessions of the children, ages eight to 20, which was conducted for around three years (since 2019).
The exhibit shows the artists’ combined creative outputs from their visual journaling sessions where they were able to document their different thoughts and ideas about the Covid-19 pandemic.
Sagun told Manila Bulletin that the program aims to develop the artists’ talents and communication skills through arts, help them express their feelings and thoughts, convey that arts is for everyone including children with disabilities, and allow them to be advocates of what they need.
The activity is part of the city’s celebration of the “National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week.” It runs until July 23.
Meanwhile, the city government, led by Vice-mayor Gian Sotto, also cited on Monday nine children with disabilities who participated and won in the “Gawad Sining Para sa Kabataang May Kapansanan” last Friday, July 15.
The awardees showed exceptional skills in arts in different categories, namely Visual Arts Excellence, Visionary Storytelling Artwork, Dalubhasa sa Pagguhit Special Citiation, and Special Merit.
The city also recognized four “QCitizens” who are members of the Philippine Women’s Wheelchair Basketball National Team participating in the 11th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) ParaGames from July 26 to Aug. 7.
The QC Kabahagi Center for Children with Disabilities promotes the rights of children with disabilities in the city to achieve their holistic and inclusive development through their participation in projects that are responsive to their needs (education, health, livelihood, social empowerment), according to the local government (quezoncity.gov.ph).
The Boundless Possibilites Foundation Inc. is a non-profit organization that provides transitional services and community activities for individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities to help them develop and build skills for greater independence and productivity.