Art Gallery Champions Inclusion for Special Needs Children in Society
Oye Art Gallery, located at the National Theatre, has strongly emphasized the critical need for the inclusion of children with special needs in all spheres of society. This initiative aims to enable these individuals to showcase their talents and contribute meaningfully to national development. The call was made during the opening of Oye Art Gallery, which is owned by a special needs child, Oye Adegbola.
Bridging the Gap Through Art
Asha Adedayo Samuel, the Creative Director and Arts Instructor of the gallery, spoke at the event, highlighting that the exhibition of artwork created by Mr. Oye is designed to bridge the gap between persons with special needs and the wider society. According to him, the exhibition seeks to challenge societal perceptions and highlight the unique contributions of individuals with special needs.
"The goal of the exhibition is to bridge the gap between those with special needs and others in society. Everyone is special in their own way, and society would not be complete without them," Samuel stated. He noted that the exhibition also serves as a platform to promote inclusivity in the arts industry, media, and other forms of creative expression.
Valuable Contributions and Support
Adedayo stressed that individuals with special needs have valuable contributions to make and should not be viewed solely as dependents. "They don't only need our support; we also need what they have to offer. Just as they rely on us, we also rely on them in many ways," he explained. He called on government at all levels to support children with special needs through funding, promotion, and deliberate inclusion in programmes and appointments.
He further revealed that the artist, Oye Adegbola, has won several awards both locally and internationally, and is recognized as the first artist in Nigeria with specific needs. The Oye Art Gallery provides a dedicated space for inclusive artistic expression and collaboration, and it can also serve as a venue for government-backed exhibitions and programmes.
Parental Support and National Commitment
Dr. Eunice Adegbola, the mother of the artist, expressed her joy over the opening of the gallery. She mentioned that they were able to identify Oye's talent when he was young, and 16 years later, they are happy to see how they have been able to support him. She urged parents to endeavor to identify the areas of strength in their special needs children, irrespective of shortcomings, and work on them.
"They should support them to acquire skills that will help them; everything is not about reading and writing," she advised. Emeka Odialu, representing the Director General of the National Gallery of Art, expressed the commitment of the NGA to provide all the needed support to special needs children in the country.
