A new documentary has been released that highlights kids with disabilities and how art therapy can help them. It is an inspiring and heartwarming movie about a wonderful art teacher and some pretty amazing students and kids. It’s a very touching film and better than some of the other documentaries we’ve seen related to art therapy. Check out the trailer and learn more about the movie below.
We encourage you to buy the movie from their site if you can as proceeds are used to support the friendship programs of Best Buddies Florida. Plus, it’s a great movie for anyone interested in working with the learning disabled, or anyone interested in making a difference with art. This movie definitely inspires others to create!
“I’m An Artist” trailer
About “I’m An Artist”
I’m an Artist, tells the story of the often hidden children of our times-students with learning disabilities. The film follows several junior and high school students with autism, Down syndrome, behavioral issues and other learning disabilities who collaborate with their dedicated art teacher to create artwork for their first big, professional art gallery exhibition. The documentary also offers an inside view into the lives of children with special needs by following them to their prom, field day and senior trip. The heart of the film lies with the students’ art teacher, Mary Jo, who displays unwavering enthusiasm for her students and helps them gain self-confidence, because with art, there are never any mistakes.
I’m an Artist premiered at the Breckenridge Film Festival in Colorado last summer, where it won the audience award. This was a rewarding experience for us as filmmakers, but more importantly, it signaled to us that audiences form a powerful connection to the students in this film and their dedicated teachers. Those who have seen the documentary have told us they are touched by its message: that students with learning disabilities, who struggle so often through school and life, can achieve more growth than most people believe possible.
From the Filmmakers
When someone showed us photographs of artwork created by students with learning disabilities, we immediately set out to learn more about these striking images. As soon as we visited the schools in New Jersey and began talking with Mary Jo, the art teacher, we knew we were on to something. Mary Jo has such a passion for using art to teach, engage and inspire her students that we in turn, were instantly inspired to start filming.
Over the course of an academic year our cameras followed several students on their journey to create art for their first professional gallery event. We also filmed them at various school events, such as their field day and senior trip. It was a special and rewarding experience for us as filmmakers to be allowed such access to the schools and to get to know these amazing children so well.
Most people talk about what children with learning disabilities can’t accomplish, one art teacher showed what they can. I’m an Artist is a heartfelt story about a woman who never stops teaching her students that there are no mistakes in art. We hope you enjoy the documentary.
Awards and Nominations
I’m an Artist has also been nominated for a 2010 Voice Award, which honors film and television writers and producers who incorporate dignified, respectful, and accurate portrayals of people with mental illnesses into their scripts, programs, and productions.
Learn more about the film and the filmmakers.
great movie… but no volume!
This is TERRIFIC! I’ve posted your video on my blog for people to find you. Congratulations on doing so much good in the world!
Thanks Meredith!
I THINK THIS VIDEO IS GREAT… SHOWING WHAT THESE CHILDREN CAN DO.. I AM A TEACHER MYSELF AND STUDYING ART THERAPY… I ALSO WORK WITH DISABILITY… AND SHOW THEIR WORK IN EXHIBITIONS… IT IS VERY AMAZING WHAT CAN BE PRODUCED WITH A LITTLE ENCOURAGEMENT AND GUIDANCE… WELL DONE..
I WONDER IF IT WAS EXPENCIVE TO HAVE THIS SITE DONE I WOULD LOVE ONE MYSELF CHEERS DEB
GREAT WORK WELL DONE DEBORAH
I am writing a book about art therapy and the older adult. If you would like to contribute innovative art directives for seniors please contact me. I’d be happy to reference you.
Thank you –
Susan
I am having trouble viewing your video’s do you know what I need to download in order to see them. They just come up as a blank white box.
The Birchwood Painters are group of artists who reside at a SCOPE care home in Herfordshire. All the artists are wheelchair users and most have severe cerebral palsy and learning difficulties.
One of the many problems the painters face is trying to paint on a canvas which is mounted on an easel designed for an able-bodied person. A combination of their physical disabilities and the sheer bulk of their electric wheelchairs mean that they find it difficult to get close to the canvas. Some of the painters have to use a mouth-stick whilst another cannot hold anything with any weight and consequently uses a feather to paint with. The only solution on many occasions was for the carers to hold the canvas in their hands whilst the painter applied the different media from a brush etc. The ladies who host the painting class approached DEMAND and asked if it would be possible to come up with a solution to their problem. Designers from DEMAND visited and assessed the painter’s needs. They then went away and designed and built an easel which allows the able-bodied assistants to position the canvas in any orientation to the painter. The easel is also designed to fit between the wheels of the painter’s wheelchairs.
I think that it is amazing that there is someone out there who wants to help people with disabilities. If i new about something like this before i would have been doing this therapy myself because of all my life problems. But now im taking an art class at school that helps me to express myself.