Autistic artists unite globally in charity auction.
An interview with the organiser of this major event.
Hi Sarah, you have an autism associated art auction happening right now in Cornwall, UK. Could you explain what its about.
Sarah:
Hi Donna, we are trying to raise funds for our original home, St Erme, Truro, Cornwall, UK, it is in need of major updating and conversion which will cost in excess of £100,000 to complete. This is actually the first phase of a £500,000+ development programme that will eventually provide modern residential support, assessment facilities and a modern day care/ education centre. There is no state funding to cover these costs and Spectrum must find the money for this work elsewhere. We are holding a series of fund raising events and the art auction will be held on the 3rd November 2007 as part of this campaign. We are in the process of contacting artists, crafts people, authors, poets, musicians, lyricists, scientists and celebrities to see if they will support our auction in some way - by donating a piece, book, manuscript, etc., which we can auction and raise funds for this worthwhile project.
DONNA WILLIAMS:
I know I’m one of the autistic artists who has contributed art works to your auction. Tell me about some of the others.
Sarah:
I am so glad that we have your support, I have been a huge fan of yours since I began working in the Autism field. We also have donations from Stephen Wiltshire who is a very talented artist and who has Autism, his work is amazing and he has donated three signed prints for us. We have also had a signed book from Professor Simon Baron Cohen who is a leading expert in the Autism field. We have a number of very beautiful paintings and prints and I am also in dialogue with a very talented musician who wants to be involved. Every day we have new donations and pledges which we are adding to the dedicated website for this event. I have been amazed at how supportive the arts community have been and just how many people this has struck a cord with - so many people have said that they have a relative or friend with autism and they would love the opportunity to be involved and to help it is clear that people agree it is such a worthwhile cause.
DONNA WILLIAMS:
I describe myself as ‘the arty autie’ and feel my ARTism overtook much of my autism. But whilst I didn’t paint, sculpt or compose until adulthood, I feel my ARTism was always there but I was too terrified of inviting people to connect with me to dare explore or show my abilities. Artism is a love of pattern, form, texture, rhythm, feel…. and that was always there in the ‘music‘ of gravel under my feet, the visual symphony of flicking the beaded curtain, the movement of air currents I moved my hands in, the feel of the form of small statues in my mouth. When artism is unconventional, it can look a lot like autism and its perhaps no surprise many people with autism are now emerging as poets, musicians, artists. How do you feel about the role of arts in the lives of autistic children and adults or even part of how non-autistic people can spend time with people with autism?
Sarah :
We have some very talented artists in our services, it is a fantastic way to enable people who have communication difficulties to express themselves and explore their creativity. We encourage people to play music, sing, dance, draw, paint and sculpt, of course this is alongside the wide range of other stimulating and developmental activities that we are engaged in on a daily basis.
DONNA WILLIAMS :
I have been to Cornwall and do lecture tours in the UK each year. I’m on tour in the UK in September (I’m even going to sing!) but not in Cornwall this time around. What do you think are the buzziest things about Cornwall and why would it be a good stop on a lecture tour?
Sarah:
I absolutely love living in Cornwall, it is very beautiful with amazing coastlines and beaches. There is so much to do, it is great in the summer but I prefer the winter - stormy beaches and blustery walks and beautiful rugged coast and countryside. That is partly why we chose the Headland Hotel in Newquay to have the art auction as it has fantastic views out to sea and sits right on the cliff - it really will be a special night with a very special purpose.
DONNA WILLIAMS:
What’s the website for the art auction in case people would like to visit the online gallery there?
DONNA WILLIAMS :
Anything else you’d like to add?
Sarah:
I would like to say thank you to you Donna for supporting us as you have and I would also like to say a huge thanks to all the other contributors without them this would not have been possible. If there is anyone else that thinks that they would like to be involved then please get in touch - my contact details can be found at the website listed above.
DONNA WILLIAMS:
Thanks so much for the interview and all the best with the auction.
Warmly
Donna Williams
autistic artist, author composer, screenwriter
Ever the arty Autie.
http://www.donnawilliams.net
http://www.auties.org
cool.
Thanks Jim.