Andrew, 2018 (courtesy Goose Lane Editions)
Many years ago, Joan Craig despaired of finding resources to help her autistic son, Bob, now in his 60s.
When he was born, she hadn’t even known what autism was – but recalls how he didn’t like to be held. As he grew older, he developed a large vocabulary, but had no friends his own age.
“I just encouraged him, made sure he knew that we loved him, and I didn’t try to force change in him,” says Craig. “I tried to help him with one thing at a time. You do your best every day.”
Jack, Bob and Joan Craig (courtesy Goose Lane Editions)
Their story is central to a new book, Autism Arts, published by the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia in Halifax, in partnership with Autism Nova Scotia, a non-profit group that works to support people on the autism spectrum.
Craig, and her late husband, Jack, a businessman, were co-founders of what would become Autism Nova Scotia, and were also major supporters of the gallery. The two organizations collaborated on the Autism Arts program, which has been offered Saturdays at the gallery for more than a decade.
The book, laden with images of participants making art in the gallery’s studio as well as some of the work they have created, is a useful primer for other organizations considering such a program. It also highlights feel-good moments, describing how the program encouraged social interactions and friendships amidst creative exploration.
One participant, Nick Hasey, who started in the pilot program in 2006, and continued to attend for 10 years, says art helps him to keep calm. As well, meeting new people, improving his communication skills and learning about art led him to college studies in computer animation. “It helped build what I want to do for my future and improve my drawing skills,” he says.
Tracey Avery, the mother of twins in the program, says it’s also good for parents, making them feel “their child is involved in something that brings joy to their day.”
“For parents, seeing this can make all the difference in how they cope with raising children with autism,” she says.
Noah T, 2015 (courtesy Goose Lane Editions)
The program follows an inquiry-based model that asks how participants learn, how to provide a safe environment, how to encourage social interactions and how to connect autistic youth with the visual arts.
It highlights various projects – from building a clay wall to making prints, paintings and drawings, as well as exploring colour, line and composition. Particularly fascinating are the self-portraits included in the book.
The text touches on some challenges posed by a neurological condition that’s increasingly diagnosed in young people. For instance, organizers had to find ways to minimize sensitivity triggers in the gallery – things like flickering lights and ambient noise from heating vents, which can feel invasive to people with autism.
Bailey, 2018 (courtesy Goose Lane Editions)
“From the very beginning, the key objective of Autism Arts was to develop a safe, fun and creative space in the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia for children and youth on the spectrum,” says the book.
“Through researching and discussing, observing and modifying, questioning and reflecting, including making mistakes and learning together, Autism Arts has developed with intention, but also with built-in fluidity in the programming model, to allow for growth and change.”
“As a result, strong relationships have and continue to be developed and the community of people spending time at the gallery on Saturdays has grown.”
For her part, Joan Craig says she's happy the program has become a hive of activity.
"It was always a dream to create an absolutely wonderful outlet for children on the spectrum," she says. "We need to provide exposure to a variety of engagement opportunities, so that children on the spectrum find and develop their interests and talents."
Autism Arts: Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, Autism Nova Scotia and Goose Lane Editions, 2021.
