By: Ayyi Gardiola
2020 will go down in history as a year of disruption, uncertainty, and grief brought about by the COVID-19 global health emergency. It was a year of plans being halted, priorities re-evaluated, lifestyles and socio-economic systems modified to adapt to a “new normal.” It was also the year when everyone turned towards the arts (online shows and exhibits) and community (online mental health, wellness, and other interest groups) to seek refuge, support, and nurture our shared humanity in the midst of physical isolation.
Special Achievers, a community of dedicated occupational therapists, speech pathologists, volunteers, and families championing the rights of children and youth with disabilities for self-expression is one of these support groups.
In the midst of a pandemic, their community thrived and reaped the rewards of almost a decade of diligent efforts. 2020 was the year their young creative hopefuls made a debut as bonafide artists, through two in-person exhibits in February (Autism Spectrum Art Manila exhibit with JCI Manila; LEAP Exhibit and Dance Festival at Brgy. San Lorenzo, Makati); and an online exhibit in August, wherein artists Angelo, Carlos, Diego, Justin, Helena, Kleo, Miggy, Miguel, Nicole and Ravi collectively raised P150,000 for Special Achievers’ art scholars (and individually earning between P4,000 to P70,000). This enabled their scholars’ training in music, visual arts and dance to continue via virtual classes in 2020.
Apart from the exhibits, these creatives also participated in various online events. In December 2020, their documentary film titled, “POSIBLE: SPED Students Pursuit of the Arts” has been made available online via shoor.com.ph.
During their virtual awarding ceremony last August 15, 2020, Special Achievers’ co-founder Karen Navarro recalled how her heart was full while writing out cheques for the artists amounting to P15,000, P27,000 and P70,000. She also shared that indeed, great things take time. That whether it’s working with people with disabilities or not, nurturing talent is definitely not instant. It takes process, leaving space for allowance, and patience in waiting for the right season for seeds to grow and bloom.
“Given the right support and adequate time, children and youth with disabilities will show you that they are able, and capable,” Karen emphatically declared in her speech.
Germinating seeds
It all started with a reflection while working on the behavioral, cognitive and life skills of Karen’s clients: “What else can we do for these kids?” When she, along with fellow therapists and co-founders observed that their clients were able to achieve their targets easier through creative arts expression, Special Achievers started their Expression Program on music, visual arts, and dance.
For disabled children and youth who are commonly misunderstood due to their seemingly “odd” behavior, creative expression serves as a refuge where they can freely express their multi-layered daily experience.
“Art, when done in your own process, is a Soul experience. No one dictates what is right or wrong. No one will judge. You are in it. They move internally in their Soul space in a way that they are not able to move on the physical space,” explains Tet Mora, a Therapeutic Arts session facilitator for children.
Tet Further explained that from age 7 to 15, these children start coming into their own, coming out of just receiving and coming into giving… showing themselves and expressing ‘who am I really?’
“There is a common misconception… just because they can’t communicate the way we do, doesn’t mean they can’t feel. They feel much more. They’re just as human as each of us, and part of that is to respect them.
That’s the beauty of art. You don’t need words to describe it but you can definitely feel what is there. That’s why art is so powerful for kids with special needs, specially those who are non verbal. Children with autism are highly sensitive. They bang their heads, feel electricity and so many impulses. They look by the side of their eyes. They don’t look directly because that is too much. Even with peripheral vision they get so much. They are very human and they feel so much more.
It’s a human need to be seen. What the group (Special Achievers) was able to do is so beautiful, because they (children) were seen and even celebrated,” remarked Tet admiringly.
From a single leaf to a forest
When Miggy, one of the pioneering artists, started his art classes at age 7, he was able to draw a single leaf. 2 year later, he was able to draw a forest. This is also a perfect metaphor to describe how Special Achievers’ artists have gradually moved from receiving, to giving of themselves. Apart from expressing themselves and touching others through their art, they are now able to make a name for themselves, contribute financially to their family, and support fellow artists as a sponsor.
One heartwarming story is that of Diego Villavicencio and Ravi Aguilar’s. Diego started painting at 2 years old and had a sold out one-child exhibit at 5 years old. Last year alone, he had 4 exhibits, at 13 years of age.
“We are super duper proud of him. Who would think, out of our three children, he will be the one earning already and helping other children. We continue to let him explore with his art, and help him promote. When we hear about fans of Diego, we get so kilig! One time, we got a call from Diego’s speech therapist… a friend called him almost in tears, saying she was finally able to buy paintings of Diego. I would like to meet her after COVID.” shares Winnie Villavicencio, Diego’s mom.
Special Achievers, through Karen Navarro and Martin Sy, helped market Diego’s artworks. Before that, Winnie was only selling Diego’s artworks for a cheap price. She was so surprised the first time someone bought Diego’s painting at P15,000. At last year’s exhibit, one of Diego’s paintings sold for P55,000.
“We are so proud posting Diego’s works in our living room.. it’s nice to see it all over Canada, America, Philippines, and it’s overwhelming to know his paintings reach a lot of people.”
Diego’s trademark is the ‘Starbursts,’ and he is so prolific that he can sit and paint for four hours at a time, producing hundreds of art works. There even came a time when his mom didn’t know what to do with these anymore. That’s when they started selling his artworks, and doing exhibits.
“Whenever he is frustrated or bored he would ask me… ‘mommy, paint?’ He is super happy and in his zone. It lightens his demeanor. Sometimes he takes videos of himself to document and show to his sister and dad,” gushes Winnie.
Diego’s therapist and mother also noticed how his artwork changed during the onset of the pandemic. Some went from looking like starbursts to looking like how a COVID virus looks under a microscope. There was also one camouflage themed artwork he made, which Winnie associated to the time she was watching the K-Drama Crash Landing On You.
Diego was Ravi’s sponsor. Ravi was diagnosed with Communications Disorder, and started art lessons at 5 years old. Karen saw his potential in drawing and suggested Art Therapy. Ravi and his younger brother both have autism, his father is an Overseas Filipino Worker in Saudi Arabia, and his mother takes care of them full time. Due to financial constraints from all the expenses incurred for their various therapies, he almost stopped going to Art Therapy.
When Diego’s family was looking for ways to support other children with special needs, Special Achievers matched Ravi with them. This enabled Ravi to continue with the Expression program. Now that Ravi is also earning from his artworks, he has also consistently given part of his earnings to Special Achievers.
Ravi’s first project was the Play Yoga Kids Project, wherein he was asked to illustrate yoga poses. He gave part of the proceeds to Special Achievers for the benefit of their program at Child Haus, a halfway house for children with cancer.
Ravi’s mother Mary Ann Aguilar confessed, “Before, I was ashamed to share photos of Special Achievers on my Facebook wall. I was afraid of being judged negatively for having two children with special needs. Eventually I realized, if I cannot accept them, how would other people accept them? Being part of Special Achievers was a huge help for us parents. We realized that a lot of people understand and support our children and our families, and it surely boosts our morale.
Now, I proudly share his work and activity photos. People would message me sharing their appreciation of his talent. I also noticed Ravi gaining appreciation of himself. He would frequently say that he is very good in drawing.”
At 12 years old, Ravi now has commissioned works with clients from Australia, Canada, and the Philippines. Using the income from his artworks, he was able to buy a tablet for his virtual classes, and he continues to support other artists.
A gallery for artists
Lei Mitchen Sta. Maria, a teacher and Special Achievers volunteer for 6 years affirmed: “It’s such an honor for me to work with them. It’s just so light, it’s never draining. It’s always such a nice experience for me to go with Special Achievers whatever project they have. They understand if you can’t make it and encourage you to tend to yourself.
In general, I really think it’s very empowering and inspiring what they’re doing for these kids and their families to the point that there’s a community. These kids are doing what’s conventional, it really goes without saying that parents play a very big role.”
Winnie Villavicencio adds: “They definitely focus on how they can thrive, but at the same time they also focus on society. There’s still a lot of them out there, not everyone is getting more support. We need more champions of children. Each and every child is unique and special.”
Since their artists’ debut last year, Karen has been reflecting on a new question: “How can I start a gallery for our artists?” As always, through collaborations with their community of dedicated volunteers, families, and contacts, these artists with special abilities continue to gracefully unfold and grow into their full potential. In fact, together with Hiraya Gallery, they have an upcoming ARTiculate Expression Exhibit by Artists with Disabilities this coming July 17-August 17, 2021. Seems like the answer to Karen’s recent question is gradually coming to fruition.
We invite you to come and witness the journey of these inspiring young artists. Get to know them and their work by going to their exhibit.
Contact Carmen of Hiraya Gallery to schedule an appointment to view Special Achievers artists’ works at 530 UN Avenue, Manila, Philippines at 8523-3331 or check out www.facebook.com/SpecialAchievers or www.instagram.com/special_achievers for the online exhibit.
