Purple Kaleidoscope, is part of Purple Fest that is being held at Entertainment Society of Goa, Panjim which is curated TIES – (Towards Inclusion Everywhere in Society).
The event is organising Art Activities at the Art Garden. These activities spark interest of those inclined towards Art. Facilitated by Alpna Kale, an artist with Locomotor disability, she tells us that the activities planned include: Community painting on canvas, Poster making, Craft, and Origami.
Elizabeth Kurian, Secretary of TIES says, “Art is a medium of peace, and it is therapeutic and can bring about inclusion. So as a parent and an architect, I suggested that we should have an Art Gallery at the Purple Fest to showcase talent of people with various disabilities.”
The Art Gallery is divided into three sections. The first includes, art by people with different disabilities. The second section consists of tactile paintings for people with visual impairment with QR codes, so that they don’t face any difficulties in appreciating the art. The third section has products of artwork by talented children.
At the Art Gallery, on exhibit are paintings and other forms of art done by 18 artists with various disabilities, which are on sale too.
At the Art Gallery, Minister for Social Welfare, Subhash Phal Dessai met the artists and complimented them for their artwork. “It is a wonderful opportunity to experience the art done by the specially abled. The works are extremely beautiful and mesmerising.” He said.
At the Accessible Art section, there is set of tactile paintings curated by Access for All. Some of these artworks bear QR codes that can help the visually impaired to see the painting. The Gallery is also hosting live activities by artists, including Mehendi art, etc. Besides, guest artists have been conducting daily sessions too.
At the Art Garden paintings by students of Disha School for Special Children are on display.
There will be Inclusive Art Workshops at the Art Pavillion too. These workshops are curated by Siddhant Shah from Access for All, for anyone and everyone who is interested, but with priority to students from various special schools and other similar learning centres. centres.
The Art Installation at Promenade opposite Dempo House, focuses on Photo Exhibits and a Ramp created by Salil Chaturvedi, an author, poet and artist. Based in Goa, Chaturvedi who uses a wheelchair and has campaigned for disability issues for the past several years.
Elizabeth Kurian expresses hope in having these specially abled artists to be part of a collaboration with the industry as items like mementos, paper bags, mugs, etc, can be made and provide financial sustainability to the specially abled and their families. “ If mementos gifted by the Government of Goa could be made by our artists, they will use this chance to prove themselves.”
Purple Fest: Celebrating Diversity! India’s first-of-its-kind inclusive festival that embraces and celebrates persons with disabilities. Brought to you by Office of the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Govt of Goa In collaboration with Directorate of Social Welfare, Govt of Goa Entertainment Society of Goa, Govt of Goa, Goa Tourism and Development Corporation Department of Information and Publicity, Govt of Goa.
