Art highlights kids’ can-do attitude

The artistic ability of children with disabilities was on show last month at an exhibition organised by a local paediatric service.

The Inventing Dreams exhibition was organised by Connect Paediatric Therapy Services in celebration of International Day of People with Disability.

The exhibition was held on November 30 and featured 32 pieces of art by 25 artists ranging in age from four to 15.

Connect Paediatric managing director Caitlin Breheny said the idea behind the exhibition was to have children with disabilities create a piece of art that celebrated their abilities and dreams.

“We wanted to put on display how talented the kids we work with are,” she said.

“They’re always coming into our building to access therapy for things they can’t do, and we wanted to turn that around and give them a chance to show all the things they can do.”

The exhibition did not have categories and the three judges each picked their own first, second and third place. Jade Maskell, 14, Mackenzie Crane, 13 and the Black Family, 11 and 9, came first, while Tai Alley, 10, Gabriel Jackson, 12, and Kate and Carla Hill, 4 and 7, placed second. Tahlia Howell, 7, Kaelen Sliskovic, 9 and Cale Peterson, 5, came in third, while Gab-riel Jackson won the people’s choice.

Ms Brehany said pieces included sculptures, paintings, pastels and Lego buildings.

“We were lucky enough to have St Luke’s College art teacher Tanya Montgomery as one of the judges,” she said.