Home / Arts and Entertainment / Learning Disabled Artists Shine at Portsmouth Fest
Learning Disabled Artists Shine at Portsmouth Fest
10 May
Summary
- Festival celebrates creativity and inclusion for learning disabled artists.
- Event features performances, workshops, and accessible art.
- Artists express pride in expressing their unique perspectives.
Portsmouth is currently hosting Pivot Fest, its first-ever learning disability arts festival, from May 8 to May 10. Held at Aspex Portsmouth, the event is a vibrant showcase of creativity and inclusion, bringing together learning disabled artists from across the UK.
The festival transforms the gallery space with a takeover curated by the This New Ground (TNG) inclusive arts committee, comprising 13 learning disabled artists. Attendees can experience a diverse range of offerings, including performances, participatory workshops, exhibitions, and silent discos, all designed with accessibility as a priority.
Artists involved, such as Emma Stallard, expressed deep pride in exhibiting their work. Stallard noted the festival provided a safe and respectful space for self-expression, contrasting with a perceived dullness in the outside world. Orlando Richardson's artwork, inspired by a man's experiences in psychiatric care, carries a message of strong inclusion.
Lucy Groenewoud, co-director of TNG, emphasized the festival's role in combating isolation often faced by individuals with learning disabilities. She highlighted the event as a crucial response to personal stories, aiming to foster greater understanding of the learning disabled experience, while acknowledging that significant progress is still needed.
