Differently-abled children and young adults add soul to art-festival

More than 100 special kids & young adults show talent

Chandigarh, September 24, 2022:   A first of its kind art festival to boost the morale of differently-abled children and young adults,  ‘The Art-Festival For Inclusion’(TAFI), was held at the Government Museum & Art Gallery, Sector 10. More than 100 special kids and youngsters participated and displayed  their creativity on a long scroll paper at the art-festival. The children were from GRRID , Sec 31, Chandigarh, Prabh Aasra, Mohali , Bhawan Vidyalaya, Sec 27, Chandigarh apart from other schools.  The participants wholeheartedly expressed their imagination on the paper at the event. Art pieces created by them will be put on display for the visitors. a platform for them to showcase their talent

The event was a part of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activity of tricity based multinational firm, Bikham, organized under the aegis of CII-IWN(Indian Women Network), and Government Museum and Art Gallery. The event was supported by Discover Ability Special School, Mohali. The art festival also signaled the commencement of the ‘World Tourism Day’ celebrations.
 
Shivani Dhillon, from Bikham, has been instrumental in organising the art festival. While giving the insights of the event, Shivani who has been working with special kids for more than a decade now, said, “Art is one of the strongest mediums of expression for people with intellectual disabilities. The prime motive of today’s art festival was to encourage the special kids and the youngsters who are as talented as anyone else.”
 
“It’s very sad that due to lack of awareness & sensitivity, our society looks down upon differently-abled people. But it's time we change the narrative. Acceptance has to come first in thoughts and attitude only then will we move towards an inclusive society.” added Dhillon.
 
Nagina Bains, Chairperson, CII-IWN said, "TAFI is a one of its kind endeavour that has been organised to embrace, express and celebrate the hearts and minds of these beautiful children with different Neuro-abilities . The idea was to include and share with them space, craft, time and above all our hearts to have them feel a part of us."  
 
Seema Gera, Deputy Curator,  Government Museum & Art Gallery said, “The museum has always tried to make its environment inclusive. We hope to push the boundaries of art displayed in the museum by holding such events and including the artwork created by the specially-abled in the near future as well.”
 
The participants showcased their creativity using myriad things like paints, crayons, sponges, hay, straws, bubble wraps et al. One of the participants at the event, while sharing his experience said, “I love colours and I am happy that I could draw without anyone telling me what to make or create." Another young artist said, "It was a good exposure for all of us,  due to COVID no such activity was held for a long time."
 
The art-festival concluded with a mesmerizing ‘drum performance’ by World of Talent (Drummers from Delhi) that added more charm to the event and left smiles on all the faces that were part of this colourful and wonderful event.