"Art for Autism" Fundraising Project

"Art for Autism" Fundraising Project
Unusual Collaborators Raise Money for Pioneering New Zealand Centre for Autism

Auckland City’s Stamford Plaza will overflow with artworks, fine dining, entertainment and auction bidding at the not-to-be-missed “Art for Autism” charity event on Friday 4th September 2009.

TaO Charitable Trust and top NZ Artist Sofia Minson are leading a fundraising art project like no other. Sofia explains “over the next couple of months I will be working one-on-one with Autistic children from around Auckland. Together, we will produce 12 fantastic, unique artworks.”

These priceless acrylic masterpieces, all measuring 920mm high x 610mm wide, will be auctioned off during the Art for Autism fundraising evening. Money raised will go towards the construction of “The Cocoon”, New Zealand’s first state-of-the-art creative development centre for Autistic children.

An estimated 40,000 New Zealanders live with Autism, many of whom require a variety of specialized services. TaO Trustee Sheri-Ann Atuahiva stresses the urgent need for an architecturally eco-aware centre designed specifically with the sensory issues of Autism taken into account and, where the ground-breaking and unifying “Transcending Autism” programme can be housed.

She says “The complete Holistic Perception Development programme gives Autistic children the opportunity to learn and grow within their individual parameters. It covers all domains of perception, encouraging children to engage in sensory stimulation, music and movement, speech and language, hydrokinetics, massage, exercises and stretching. The Cocoon will be a centre of innovation and creativity, which respects and empowers children and families living with Autism.”

Having already produced two of the paintings to be auctioned, Sofia beams “I’m absolutely thrilled to be involved with this event. Not only do I want Autistic children to have the opportunity to experience the supportive and stimulating environment of The Cocoon, but collaborating with the kids is so much fun!”

Before the children visit her Glen Innes studio with their supervisor, Sofia prepares the canvas with a background colour. “The three of us just hang out while the child enjoys painting anything they want. We sing songs - a recent favourite was Bananas in Pyjamas - and we get excited about all the colours and action happening on the canvas. There are clear concepts that emerge as they paint such as ‘light’ or ‘nursery rhymes’ and afterwards I add a very small detailed picture of my own to the work, which relates to these themes.”

Sofia has also donated one of her personal artworks to the event. 13 paintings will be auctioned off in all at the Art for Autism evening.

ENDS