Abilities Arts Festival A Celebration of Disability Arts and Culture  

2008 Festival


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email:
Abilities Arts Festival
phone:
1-888-844-9991
fax: 1-888-845-7775
ABILITIES ARTS FESTIVAL
ONCE AGAIN PROUDLY PRESENTS

"In Celebration of Our Children and Youth"

October 21-23, 2008
Columbus Centre, Toronto

"In Celebration of Our Children and Youth" is an exciting, free, full-day event that provides children and youth with disabilities with the opportunity to see and experience first-hand the wonder and enjoyment of disability arts and culture.

"In Celebration of Our Children and Youth" includes diverse performances by an international line-up of artists with disabilities; artists specially selected for their skill and ability to relate to children and youth while also exemplifying artistic excellence. Since 2005, children and youth with disabilities have joined Abilities Arts Festival in an incredible day of celebration, entertainment and participation. Having grown to participation by over 1,100 children and youth with disabilities and their teachers from across the Greater Toronto Area, our children's program remains a vital and exciting part of our annual programming.

Music, mime, story-telling and much more will ensure that children of different ages, with varying disabilities, have the opportunity to access the performing arts in its many forms.

"In Celebration of Our Children and Youth" will provide children and youth with disabilities with the opportunity to participate in a positive and exciting event that acknowledges their strengths, recognizes and respects their disabilities and introduces them to the possibilities that await them.

ASL translation will be provided and attendants will be available throughout the day-long celebration.

The full-day event will be free (including lunch), however, it will be necessary to pre-register as space is limited. Registration will begin in the early fall of 2008. Further information about the "In Celebration of Our Children and Youth" will become available on our website in the near future. Check back often for updates and further information on our youth programming.


The Children's and Youth Exhibition

An exhibit of art and poetry by children and youth with disabilities will be on display during and after the day long-celebration. This exhibit will include poems and drawings submitted by children and youth with disabilities from across Ontario. This unique exhibit will capture the imagination, beauty, creativity and wisdom of art and poetry created by children with disabilities and allow for active involvement in the arts.

All those who attend the children's program will have the opportunity to enjoy the art and poetry. As well, the exhibition will be open to all visitors of the Columbus Centre. There is also the potential that the children's exhibit will be displayed at additional venues following the actual children's program. Some of the pictures and poems will be chosen to become part of the next festival event calendar.


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Help students with disabilities participate in a unique and exciting opportunity



Featured Artist:

Miguel Aguayo

Miguel Aguayo is based in Toronto, Canada. His work is a mixture of natural and magical light captured through his lens and consists of spontaneous photographs, staged images and interpretative art that transcends the parameters of traditional photographs.

In the 1970s, Miguel studied photography at Josephs School of Imaging in Chicago, IL, and is a former member of the Fort Dearborn Photography Club. His work received recognition in competitions sponsored by the Chicago Area Camera Club Association.

More recently, Miguel moved into digital imaging and has been furthering his training through the Imaging Arts program at Ryerson University. In 2006 he received the honour of having his work included as part the Toronto International Deaf Film and Arts Festival.