SEEING IS BELIEVING – An exhibition of work by artists with intellectual disabilities
Seeing is Believing is an art exhibition featuring the work of artists in Sheffield with Intellectual Disabilities. The exhibition will open with a pop up event on Tuesday 8 August at Millennium Gallery.
The exhibition takes inspiration from this years National Special Olympic Games, which will be hosted in Sheffield from 7 – 12 August. Seeing is Believing focuses on achievement, self believe, collaborative practice and teamwork. It hopes to challenge people’s perceptions of intellectual disabilities through celebrating the creativity and ambition of the artists involved.
Seeing is Believing has been curated by ArtWorks, a not for profit organisation which provides creative opportunities and placements for adults with intellectual disabilities. The exhibition celebrates the success and continuing development of the ArtWorks studio, a space for adults with intellectual disabilities to explore and challenge their creativity.
The exhibition will also feature the works of; Florence Blanchard, Anthony Bennett, Roanna Wells, Geo Law, Dave Draws, Mandy Payne, Katie Harnett, Masie Paradise Shearring, Sill, David Thomas and Vicky Fong, Loopy’s Place and Greg Harris.
Join us at our pop up event to see the exhibition at Millennium Galleries, Cadman Room, Tuesday 8 August 10am – 4pm.
This event has been supported by; Irwin Mitchell, Daler-Rowney, Great Art, LipMate, Sheffield Museums, Sheffield City Council, LA Evans Tree Services, OW Brickwork Ltd, Pebeo, Scola, Bowltech, Bowling Vision, Boston Golf, UK Table Tennis, Signs Express, The University of Sheffield and Special Olympics GB. If you would like more information about this event, please contact Liz Carrington on 07540133622 or email at info@artworks-sheffield.co.uk.
The UK’s top two bowling pin distributors Bowling Vision and Bowltech UK donated new pins for the artists to use for their designs.
Bowling Vision’s Jack Trend said
“We’re very pleased to have the opportunity to support the Seeing is Believing project. Like Bowling, Art is an activity enjoyed by people of all abilities. It’s fantastic to see the two together in this exiting way. We can’t wait to see all the final designs!”
Bowltech’s Roger Whichelow told us
“When Liz at Artworks approached us at Bowltech UK to ask if we would be willing to support their efforts to produce pieces of art on bowling pins, we felt that this was an enterprise that was very much worth supporting and immediately said yes.”
adding “We have already seen a couple of the works of art that have been created with our pins and look forward to seeing the full exhibition.”
About ArtWorks
Artworks is an organisation inspiring and helping adults with learning disabilities to achieve their potential and develop important life skills through creative workshops and placements. Since opening in 2015 ArtWorks service users have volunteered at Doc/Fest, an international documentary festival, painted a mural at Sheffield Wednesday Football Clubs family enclosure and managed a local art gallery. Individuals have also had the opportunity to join a modelling agency and work alongside internationally renowned contemporary artists on projects.
http://www.artworks-sheffield.co.uk
About the Special Olympics
Special Olympics Great Britain provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for all children and adults with intellectual (learning) disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in sharing skills, gifts and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes, and the community.