To celebrate Scottish Learning Disability Week during the first week of May, Turning Point Scotland (TPS) is holding an art exhibition in Dumfries.
The exhibition was created by the TPS AccessArt Service, which has provided opportunities for people with complex needs to express themselves through creative outlets for the past 15 years.
Titled Primavera, the exhibition will be held at the Stove Cafe from Monday, 2 May 2022 to Sunday, 8 May 2022.
Turning Point Scotland Senior Arts & Crafts Co-ordinator, Steven Burnie said the exhibition took inspiration from the famous Sandro Botticelli painting depicting the arrival of Spring.
‘‘Back in January we were able to once again offer group workshops to participants who use the AccessArt Service,’’ he said.
‘‘After having the opportunity to do workshops and the hope that more restrictions would be lifted, the groups thoughts for this exhibition turned to the themes of rejuvenation and renewal. As we moved out of Winter and into Spring, we felt the seasonal change represented this theme.’’
The exhibition will feature a large reproduction of the Primavera, produced by all of the participants who use the AccessArt Service.
Smaller works of art will be found alongside the main artwork, showing the development and observations that lead to the large reproduction.
‘‘At the core of AccessArt we believe that everyone has the innate ability to create,’’ Steven said.
‘‘At AccessArt we are inclusive, adaptable, creative left-field thinkers, who see through potential barriers to participation, who provide a safe non-judgemental space with the appropriate levels of support with a good amount of encouragement.’’