Abilities Arts Festival A Celebration of Disability Arts and Culture  
Rumeur

2005 Children's Programming


Connecting With Our Children and Youth


Children and Youth with disabilities were an important part of Abilities Festival 2005. Over 300 children, youth, teachers and aides from the Greater Toronto Area and beyond attended a full day program of performances that included story-telling by renowned Canadian author Jean Little, comedy by Alan Shain, mime by Max Fomitchev and music by Jason Dennis and his "Happy Band". A special luncheon matinee performance by musician Terry Kelly added to the excitement.

This truly magical day captivated all who attended. "Connecting to Children and Youth" transported all into a world where the possibilities were unlimited and where ability knew no bounds. Engagement, smiles, laughter, dancing, listening and sheer enjoyment reigned. From the students to the teachers, parents and the many others who attended, consensus is "Connecting to Children and Youth" was a remarkable and resounding success.


Featured Artists:

Patrice Kouma

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Patrice Kouma is an artist who is deaf due to an early bout with meningitis. In 1985, at the age of 15 he started painting with Sr Maria Rosa, an Italian. Kouma's paintings have been shown at many exhibitions throughout the Cameroon and were featured in a series of greetings cards produced by Gallaudet University in Washington DC in 2000. In June 2004, Kouma's work was showcased at VSA Arts Festival in Washington DC. Patrice Kouma currently teaches painting and ceramics to youth with disabilities. <Read More>


Pierrette Theriault

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Early on in her childhood, Pierrette felt and expressed a passion for artistic creation. The spark that ignited her inspiration and creativity is very much alive and thriving although tainted by the gradual loss of her eyesight. <Read More>