Visual Diary is a program which will give our artists the tools and skills to enable them to understand, talk about, contemplate and develop their visual art practice. By using the starting point of an actual visual diary, the artists will
start to explore why they make the art they do and how their art fits into the wider art world that they are an important part of. Artists will be introduced to relevant points in
art history and art theory.
The program would include:
- Still life workshops
- Drawing from life – costume, portrait sitting, drawing each other etc.
- Plein-air drawing
- Artist run sessions, where the artists choose props and arrange them for drawing
- Project based work
- Some relevant art history
- Group collaborations
- Games that support cognitive and creative processes
- Facilitated discussion around the artist’s art practice and process with brainstorming sessions
- Skills workshops
- Studio visits and general excursions
- Proposal and CV writing
Artists will be able to talk at length about their art practice with their peers in the contemporary art world such as artist talks, exhibition openings and media opportunities.
This is an innovative program in many ways as traditionally artists with intellectual disabilities are generally not included in or expected to participate in the conceptual discourse surrounding their art practice. Giving the artists this tool will facilitate
growth in this area of the artists' journey and will empower them to direct their own practice.