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Pune Biennale 2017 – ‘Inclusive Art’ project: Workshop for 50 differently-abled kids at Bal Kalyan Sanstha

As part of the Pune Biennale 2017, Pune Biennale Foundation conducted a novel art workshop for differently-abled children, jointly with Bal Kalyan Sanstha and LetArtWork Gallery today at Bal-Kalyan Pune. This workshop was part of the Pune Biennale initiative of ‘Inclusive Art’ where 50 special children from 11 identified schools were given training in various creative arts like drawing, doodling, puppet making, play-with-clay and others.

The initiative aims to create opportunities for specially-abled kids and at the same time spread awareness about the hidden creative talent these kids peruse. These workshops will not only benefit for fine motor skills, but also brings out the hidden talent in creative arts among the children. The children also created life time memory by painting “bal Kalyan graffiti wall”.

Eminent artists like Veena Chandra, Ketki Pimplekhare, Kanchan Shelke, Manisha Ved Pathak, Dipali Darvatkar conducted the workshop. Project was coordinated under the guidance of Minetta Patil. The schools were also invited to visit the live workshop to see the children learning with their challenges and special abilities. The creations were kept open for public.

Commenting on the initiative Indranil Garai, Director of Pune Biennale Foundation & Artist Rashmi Tapadia, Founder Director, LetArtWork Gallery, said, “This is just the beginning and we plan to bring many such interesting events and workshops in the coming months. In January 2017, another art learning camp will be conducted. We are keen on the ‘inclusive art’ and have a vision of spreading awareness of this unique talent among special kids and get them in the mainstream”.

The venue of Bal Kalyan is purposely chosen to let people know of the great work the institute is doing.

PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS:

  1. Kamayani Vidya Mandir (Nigdi), Pune
  2. Andhashala Mulanchi (Koregaon Park)
  3. V.R. Ruiya Mukbadhir Vidyalaya (Hadapsar)
  4. Hadapsar Karnabadhir Vidyalaya (Hadapsar)
  5. Chinchwad Badhirmukh Vidyalaya (Nigdi), Pune
  6. Andhashala Mulanchi (Kothrud)
  7. P.R. Lunkad Andhashala ( Bhosari)
  8. Intervida (Awaking Jagruti)
  9. Vihaan Autism Center
  10. Kamayani Vidyamandir (Gokhalenagar)
  11. Shri Sai Seva Matimand Shala ( Shivne)

ABOUT THE WORKSHOP AND ARTIST:

1. Play with Clay workshop: artist – Veena Chandra (ceramic artist and teacher)

Veena pursued a formal degree and training as an architect in her initial years. She then decided to move on from architecture and follow other passions borrowing on the design sensibilities and the aesthetic sense she developed during those years. This journey, introduced her to the field of clay, where she trained in wood and Anagama fired ceramics. Veena has since then, had various opportunities to exhibit her work internationally and in India and also take part in various international residencies and symposiums.

Teaching being one of her main passions, she dove tails her time between teaching architecture at the University and moulding visions in clay at her studio in Pune.

2. Canvas painting workshop: Artist – Ketaki Pimpalkhare (full time artist)

Ketaki completed her undergraduate degree in fine art from the Directorate of Art, Bombay’s G.D. Art program. During her undergraduate degree she studied photography from Fergusson College, Pune. She then moved to the UK for a brief period and studied Creative Writing from SouthShields. She then moved back to India and got a Masters in Fine Arts from S.N.D.T. Women’s University, Pune and worked in the field of advertising and event management. She started painting when she got pregnant and eventually started showing her work in art galleries from the year 1999 in Pune, Mumbai and internationally.

She conducts art workshops for destitute children from rural India and works specifically with those with special needs. Some of the foundations she supports are Nirvanavan Foundation based in Alwar, Asha Foundation in Pune and Akanksha Foundation Mumbai. She’s also running a successful restaurant called Oasis in Pune along with her husband and has one son. Her work is patronized by some important collectors like the Kalyanis of Bharat Forge, Bajaj Auto, Mangeshikar Hospital, Mumbai, Anchor Switches to name a few.

3. Doodle workshop: Manisha Vesphatak (Contemporary artist)

Manisha completed her B.E in Electronics in India and stayed in West of Africa for over two decades, along with her family.

A year ago she has relocated to her hometown Pune in India. Apart from being a full time artist, she volunteers to share her knowledge of arts to the children with special needs. Manisha is a listed artist in the Global Art Directory of London.After relocating to Pune I had an opportunity to take up a challenge of impacting autistic kids through Zentangles. It is said to improve their concentration and hyperactivity. After over a year of volunteering at Prasanna Autism Center, I have seen a vast improvement in these kids.

4. Graffiti wall painting workshop: Kanchan Shelke (M.A Clinical Psychology)

Is actively involved in the area of child development, art and counselling. She is the Founder director of Artisan’s Perch a center for child development through different art forms. She is an artist and a clinical psychologist .She is running this center for past 4 years. She is attached as a child psychologist at the Blossoms Child guidance clinic and deals with patients with different psychological disorders. She has worked as a clinical psychologist with Dr. Vasudeo Paralikar, Dr Niket Kasar and Dr Nitin Dalaya.

ABOUT THE ORGANISERS:

Pune Biennale Foundation is committed to bringing the contemporaneity of Pune in dialogue with cultural and artistic discourses from elsewhere. The focus is on making art more public and accessible in its all possible manifestations, particularly in public spaces. By presenting and promoting creative talent from various disciplines of the arts, design and architecture, Pune Biennale strives to elevate the artistic, cultural and visual aesthetics of the city on to the global art map.

VENUE PARTNER:

Bal Kalyan Sanstha, Pune is a one of its kind recreational & cultural center exclusively for all types of differently able children, in India. Its attractive and comfortable infrastructure and affectionate and diligent teachers welcome the children every day. The Sanstha provides facilities of recreational and sports to 80 schools for children with special needs; they range from transport facility to activity training to fun.

EVENT PARTNER:

Let Art Work Galley is a socio-enterprise. A platform for budding artist and young talent to nurture and showcase their fine art skills. Let art work is creating awareness and art education through various art shows and workshops towards building a strong art community.

Content Courtesy: Perfect Relations, Delhi

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