LIBRARY EXHIBIT SHOWCASES WHAT 'STUDENTS CAN DO'

RICHVIEW LIBRARY EXTENDS SENECA SCHOOL EXHIBIT A SECOND MONTH

Toronto Public Library has extended through the end of June its exhibition of Seneca School's developmentally disabled students' abstract artwork at its accessible Richview branch.

Seneca is an elementary school in central Etobicoke for 72 students from west Toronto, in kindergarten through Grade 8, with developmental disabilities. Some students have physical disabilities, some are medically fragile, and some have autism.

School staff provide students with specialized programs that meet their individual needs.

Anne-Elizabeth Bates, expressive arts teacher at Seneca School, called the coveted Toronto Public Library (TPL) exhibit of her students' art a "huge honour."

"I really wanted our community to see what our students can do rather than what things they can't do," Bates said. "It's a showcase of their abilities rather than their disabilities."

The second-floor exhibit is also an expression of her teaching philosophy, Bates added.

"Every student can learn and succeed and has the right to an education," Bates said. "I believe this to be true of every student, no matter their gender, ethnicity, culture, background or level of ability. This art exhibit was borne out of that belief."

Most Seneca students are nonverbal. One of Seneca's areas of focus is to develop students' expressive communication skills through visual supports and assistive and augmentative technologies, such as iPads or eye gaze devices.

"I want people who see their artwork to know how much of their voice is in each piece," Bates said.

The large pieces are Bates' favourite, created by all students and support staff "who are just some of the most-caring people," she said. "So much love and caring goes into each individual piece."

Nancy Lyons, Seneca School principal, said staff "focus on what students can do and capitalize on those things" — such as this art exhibit.

"We want to make students as independent as possible, and to teach them to communicate as much as possible; give them skills to be able to communicate with people they don't know," Lyons said. "It's really important for people to understand what our students are capable of. Our students have so many different strengths that other people just don't have."

A "no-brainer" is how Tony Pinto, senior branch head, Richview branch of TPL, described the decision to extend Seneca's exhibit from May to June. Typically, artists are given a one-month showing.

"When the opportunity arose to be able to extend it, we thought it was such a wonderful exhibit of special needs' students' artwork, it was a no-brainer," Pinto said. "There's a nice mix of different pieces. It definitely livens up the room."

TPL provides art exhibit space at 12 of its Toronto branches.