Talented artists with intellectual disabilities had the opportunity to showcase their artwork for the first time in Oakville, Ontario February 1st.
Art From the Heart is an annual exhibition in Toronto that gives differently-abled artists a forum to display their work. This year, the event has a gallery space in Oakville at the Joshua Creek Heritage Art Centre. The atmosphere was celebratory at the opening reception as artists were presented with roses and posed in front of their paintings for photos. Many of them have not received any recognition for their work before.
Nineteen artists from Community Living in Toronto and Oakville had pieces on display. Their work was created over the past several months during weekly classes taught by local artists.
Art From the Heart is unique because it does not require artists to have formal fine art training in order to have their work displayed at a gallery.
Joshua Creek owner Sybil Rampen champions the idea that art is for everybody. She is proud to partner with Harold Tomlinson, the Facilitator of Creative Village Studios at Community Living Toronto, to expand this event to the Halton region.
The Art From the Heart exhibition will be in Oakville until March 8th.
For more information, visit: http://www.joshuacreekarts.com/2015/01/27/art-from-the-heart-2/
