Artworks by participants from Dundaloo Support Services, celebrating the theme 'We Are One', form a special exhibition currently on show at Manning Regional Art Gallery.
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The artworks were painted by more than 300 people living with disabilities across the Mid North Coast and beyond, and had planned to be displayed at the 'We Are One' Artistic Ability and Diversity Concert at the Manning Entertainment Centre on Friday, November 26.
However, COVID forced the rescheduling of the annual event and instead sparked the idea to organise the exhibition at the gallery and digitise the display so it can be projected and installed at future events.
"We are so grateful to be able to make this happen because what we realised is there always has to be an outcome for the participants - that is the most important thing with ideas like this," Matt said.
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Many of the participants attended the opening of the exhibition at the Taree gallery on December 2, where they were joined by family, friends, support workers from Dunadloo, and members from the MidCoast Council and Manning Regional Art Gallery to celebrate the day.
The day was about coming together to celebrate as a collective.
- Dundaloo's sil manager, Liza Sutton
"The day was about coming together to celebrate as a collective," Dundaloo's Liza Sutton said.
Liza said the focus is not on disability, but rather about passion and coming together as 'one' with a collective goal.
The project was driven by Dundaloo's CEO Mark Drury and the family and community liaison officer Matt Zarb, and was further supported by the Manning Regional Art Galley, MidCoast Council and the wider community.
Mr Drury said it was an honour to be a part of such an incredible initiative and to see the final artworks on display.
Addressing the participants and their families, Mr Drury thanked those who contributed for allowing the community to see their personal experiences with the words 'We Are One.'
He said art can sometimes be quite vulnerable as it opens up your interpretations for others to see.
"It is not an easy thing to do what you guys have done.
"You should all be very proud."
Mr Drury thanked MidCoast Council's Calypso Watson, director of Arts Mid North Coast Kevin Williams, Manning Regional Art Gallery's Rachel Piercy, Jane Hosking, Ali Haigh and Trish Hayes, as well as Alicia Isaac and Matt Zarb of Dundaloo Support Services.
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