The National level Art Workshops for Persons with Disabilities as well as the Art Exhibition is an outcome of multidisciplinary team approach where multiple stakeholders are involved. The Department of Psychiatric Social Work, NIMHANS lead this initiative with active collaboration from Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services and Department of Mental Health Education, NIMHANS along with Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Govt of India to organize the whole event. This initiative was supported by the College of Fine Arts, Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath, one of the most popular and prestigious institution working in the field of fine arts. All the participants of the Art workshops which were conducted during the months of July and October were guided by eminent faculties from College of Fine Arts, Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath.

Dr. Aarti Jagannathan, principal coordinator of the program says that “Art has a unique feature of helping the artist transmit a part of himself, his emotions on to his work, thereby being therapeutic. Apart from this Art can also act as a medium of employment”. This National Level Art Exhibition cum sales of the Paintings made by Persons with disabilities is a first of its kind step forward in showcasing the talents of Persons with Disabilities and also a medium for their empowerment. The exhibition will help to reduce the stigma associated with PwD’s by highlighting their creativity and skills. It will also provide an opportunity to these participants to have their work displayed for a large number of potential viewers. Dr K.S Meena, Head of Mental health Education Department, NIMHANS reiterated that “This Art Exhibition is a unique opportunity to encourage, promote and highlight the creative expressions of Persons with Disabilities. It’s a recognition of the unique skills that have emerged due to a collaborative network of various stakeholders. This initiative also heightens awareness about the abilities of the Persons with Disabilities in their pursuit to be belonged and minimise stigma”.

Two 5-day Art Workshops were conducted during the months of July and October, 2022 in which 47 PwD’s from various parts of the nation, participated and completed 105 canvas paintings under the guidance faculties from College of Fine Arts, Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath. The workshops provided an excellent opportunity for them to take a step forward in developing their skills to become an artist. The paintings from various participants will be kept for sale and the proceeds of which will be accrued to back to them. Thus, the event become a medium for their development as an artist and also for their empowerment. ” The two Art Workshops highlighted the artistic abilities of persons with disabilities who showed their talent when given a platform. We invite the public to the Art Exhibition showcasing the creative side of differently abled artists”, states Dr Sivakumar T (Additional Professor of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services).

The final National Level Art Exhibition will be showcasing the Paintings made by Persons with Disabilities (Persons with Mental illness, Intellectual Disability, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Neurological Disorders and Multiple Disabilities) and will be held from 21^st November, 2022 to 3^rd December, 2022, culminating on the occasion of International Day for Persons with Disabilities 2022.

For the first week from 21^st November to 27^th November, 2022 the exhibition will be conducted at Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath and for the next week from 28^th November to 3^rd December, 2022 it will be at NIMHANS. NIMHANS welcomes you to the inaugural function of the National Level Art Exhibition on 22^nd November, 2022 at 11am at Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath, Kumar Krupa Road, Bangalore. This event is also open for the public, free of cost at both the venues. The public can also purchase the paintings, the proceeds of which will go to the participant who had painted.

The Exhibition at Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath was inaugurated on 22^nd November, 2022 (Tuesday) by Smt. K.S Lathakumari I.A.S, Director, Department for the Empowerment of Differently Abled and Senior Citizens who were the chief guest of the event. Dr. K V.S Rao, Former Director, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, MSJE, Govt of India and Prof. S.K Chathurvedi, Former Senior Professor of Psychiatry and I/C Head of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services, NIMHANS & NIMHANS Institute Rehab Committee Member, were the guests of honour. Dr. Pratima Murthy, Director of NIMHANS and Dr. B. S Shankaranarayana Rao, Registrar of NIMHANS along with the guests visited the exhibition and interacted with the participants. During the inaugural function the guests expressed their gratitude and happiness for being a part of the Programme. They also quoted the importance and need of organising such programmes for the empowerment of Persons with Disabilities. Smt. Lathakumari I.A.S and Dr. K V.S Rao appreciated the initiatives of NIMHANS in the field of disability. Around 30 participants from the first and second National Level Art Workshop came and shared their experiences during the workshops.

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