Many people with disabilities need support in their daily lives. However, it is also true that if the right environment is provided, many of them can create high-quality work that companies can request.
In Okayama Prefecture, General Incorporated Association DESIGN GOALs is working on a project where creators and designers with disabilities form project teams to produce designs requested by companies.
The event "Kurashiki DESIGN GOALs collection 2024," which brings together 28 stores connected through disability art, was held this autumn at the Kojima Community Center in Kojima, Kurashiki City.
What is the 4th Kurashiki DESIGN GOALs collection 2024?
The Kurashiki DESIGN GOALs collection is an event organized by the General Incorporated Association DESIGN GOALs, held on November 4, 2024 (Monday, public holiday) from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
Similar to the previous 3rd event, it is themed around the "Takahashi River basin," gathering 28 stores connected through disability art at the Kojima Community Center.
![[Held on 11/4 (Mon)] 4th DESIGN GOALs Collection 2024 - 28 stores connected through disability art gather in Kojima!](https://media.kuratoco.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/23000919/DSCF8043.jpg)
Venue Overview
On the day of the event, when I arrived at the venue around 10:30 AM, shortly after the opening, both the lawn square and the exhibition hall were bustling with many people.
The DESIGN GOALs project, which is the origin of the name "DESIGN GOALs collection," involves creators and designers with disabilities forming project teams to produce designs requested by companies.
Therefore, I thought many people with disabilities, including wheelchair users, would gather at the venue, but families were notably present.
Many workshops were also set up, and people were enthusiastically creating works and getting their nails done, creating a lively atmosphere.
On the other hand, while leisurely browsing the products at the stalls, there were also customers who greeted the shop owners with a friendly "Hey!" Listening closely to the interactions, it turns out they were individuals with disabilities or their families connected to the exhibitors.
Individuals with disabilities and families mixed together to enjoy the event.
The organizer, Takahashi Kyoe, said
"I'm glad we could hold it during a pleasant season.
The lawn square and exhibition hall are lively, and I'm happy that it's so mixed that you can't tell who has a disability and who doesn't. Many creators involved in the DESIGN GOALs project have also come."
She said with a smile.
While I was talking to Takahashi, more and more individuals with disabilities and their families who admire her gathered around.
A lot of delicious items gathered at the DESIGN GOALs collection
The DESIGN GOALs collection aims for "everyone to enjoy together," regardless of disabilities.
In the lawn square, shops actively involved in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) lined up. Many of these shops have individuals with disabilities involved in the production process. However, the appearance of the dishes is not like home-cooked meals made in cooking classes; they all have the taste of authentic restaurants.
The carbonara from Restaurant A La Maison, the juicy chicken from BONITA’S PINOY SARISARI STORE, the cute packaging of Motoya Kojicafe Kurashiki Okara Cookies, and the baked goods from Patisserie Le Vert, which are always seen at the Kurashiki market...
All of these foods, whether for the reason of "supporting people with disabilities" or not, were so mouth-watering that I enjoyed them to my heart's content.
Workshop Experience at Kirari's Badge Shop
In the exhibition hall, numerous workshops were being held.
My target was the workshop "Kirari's Badge Shop" by Kirari Hoshi, who has experience participating in the DESIGN GOALs project.
Kirari Hoshi, who uses a wheelchair due to spina bifida, expresses her unique worldview through works depicting insects and fish using pens with glitter.
On the day of the event, participants could either turn the fish inspired by the Takahashi River that Kirari drew into badges, color their own versions on pre-drawn fish paper, or create original drawings from scratch.
Each participant could create their own original badge.
I colored a pre-drawn fish paper to make my badge.
The drawings for the badges are very small, so it requires concentration to do pointillism, and the time spent immersed in the work allows one to escape from daily life and enter one's own world.
Once I finished drawing, it was finally time to make the badges.
As I have a hearing impairment, I was worried about whether I could follow the steps, but Kirari's mother, who was standing at the front as a staff member, explained everything in sign language, so I was able to make the badges smoothly.
I became attached to the badge I made myself and couldn't help but pin it to my chest right there.
Conclusion
Under the blue sky, the pleasant smells of restaurants wafted from all around, and the bright exhibition hall was filled with the voices of children enjoying the workshops. It was normal for families and individuals with disabilities to be in the same space, and no one among the visitors thought of it as special; it was truly an inclusive time at the DESIGN GOALs collection.
Increasing the number of places where visitors, regardless of disabilities, can enjoy at their own pace expands the choices for individuals with disabilities and their families. I hope that more events will emerge where anyone, regardless of their circumstances, can feel that "this is a place I can go."
Data for the 4th DESIGN GOALs Collection 2024
| Name | 4th DESIGN GOALs Collection 2024 |
|---|---|
| Date | November 4, 2024 (Monday, holiday) from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM |
| Location | 2-2-38 Ajino, Kojima, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Participation Fee (including tax) | Free admission |
| Website | DESIGN GOALs Instagram |
