Why Charlie Needs Art Class

Something to watch: The September 16th New York Times reports on Reabilities: The First Annual NY Disabilities Film Festival, which will be held from September 21-23. Among the films is Ben X, a Belgian film about an autistic boy who “hides from the harsh reality of being bullied in school by escaping to his favorite online computer game.”

And somethings more on the West Coast: Creativity Explored is a San Francisco-based non-profit visual arts center where “artists with developmental disabilities create, exhibit, and sell art.” Go here to see an online gallery of artwork. The colors and forms on this painting of cakes by Camille Holvoet draw me in.

At Back to School night, Charlie’s teacher had mentioned that she was trying to work out an arrangement with the art teachers. I really hope she can. Just this past summer, Charlie—who’s shown near-zero inclination towards drawing or art—-became interested in making things, in doing art. Creativity can’t go to waste.