2nd Annual Creative Future Recognition Awards and the 2008 art exhibition

On 20 May at the Maritime Museum, Autism Spectrum Australia will host its 2008 Art Exhibition and the 2nd Annual Creative Futures Recognition Awards.

The Awards celebrate the outstanding contributions and achievements of extraordinary people and organisations in the autism spectrum community and in the wider community who support Autism Spectrum Australia.  The Awards recognise the actions and achievements of people who go far beyond what might be reasonably expected. Through this award program, Autism Spectrum Australia celebrates these people and encourages others to achieve and excel.

The Nomination Form for each of the categories and the guidelines for the Awards can be downloaded below.  Nominations close on 2 May.

The exhibition is for works composed by adults with an autism spectrum disorder.  The exhibition is aimed at raising awareness of autism spectrum disorders, which affect an estimated 40,000 people in NSW. Autism spectrum disorders are lifelong disabilities that affect the way people communicate and relate to other people and the world around them. Difficulty in social and communication skills can lead to isolation and anxiety, not only for the people with autism but for their families as well.

The art projects are aimed at developing fine motor skills, attention span, and pride in accomplishment. The clients are totally involved in the creative process, from selecting the medium, implement and surface, to choosing colours and assisting in any preparation and clean up. Through art the clients also develop social skills such as turn taking, listening, waiting and decision making.

Many people with an autism spectrum disorder have sensory sensitivities. They may experience heightened sensitivity to sight, touch, taste, smell, sound and movement. This has shaped the process of creation; the clients never visualise an end result, rather, they just enjoy the experience - the sensation of the wet paint on their fingers or the smell of paint on their hands, etc. This focus on experience, as opposed to end product, has resulted in art works which are completely uncontrived. Not only do the clients enjoy the sensory stimulation, but many also find painting quite soothing. Many of the clients have anxiety, and find repetitive motions and gestures calming. This has translated into their painting. Some enjoy the slow and precise repetition of dot painting, others enjoy the forceful and repetitive motion of flicking paint onto a canvas. As with any artist, each client has their own unique style.

The Art Exhibition will be held at the Maritime Museum, Sydney on 20 May at 6:00pm followed by the Creative Futures Recognition Awards.