The "35th Kurashiki-kko Nakayoshi Art Exhibition," featuring children from special support classes and special support schools in Kurashiki City, has begun at the Kurashiki City Art Museum.
This exhibition showcases works created by children who value their own sensibilities, cooperate with each other, and put in effort and creativity.
This article will report on the "35th Kurashiki-kko Nakayoshi Art Exhibition."
What is the "35th Kurashiki-kko Nakayoshi Art Exhibition"
The Kurashiki-kko Nakayoshi Art Exhibition is an annual exhibition held to promote understanding and cooperation in special support education, and this year marks its 35th edition in 2024.
In 2024, it is being held from January 23 (Tuesday) to January 28 (Sunday) for six days at the Kurashiki City Art Museum.
Participants include children from special support classes in elementary and junior high schools, as well as Kurashiki City Kurashiki Support School.
The venue features a variety of works, including art and craft works, calligraphy and essays from language classes, and clothing and handicraft works from technical home economics classes, all created diligently by the children in their daily activities.
Exhibition
On the 1st floor, works from junior high school special support classes and Kurashiki City Kurashiki Support School were displayed, while on the 2nd floor, works from elementary school special support classes and hospital classes were exhibited.
At the reception, there was a box filled with many cards. These were also works by the children participating in the Kurashiki-kko Nakayoshi Art Exhibition, and you could choose one as a souvenir. I received a welcome card with a beautiful marbling pattern made with paint.
1st Floor Exhibition
First, I viewed the exhibition in the 1st floor gallery. Here, works from junior high school and Kurashiki Support School children were displayed.
The works from the junior high school special support school included many sashiko and woodwork pieces. These relate to the learning in the high school division of the special support school. The junior high school special support classes likely engage in activities that consider future career paths after graduation. Each piece was crafted with care, and I found myself gazing at them intently.
At the Kurashiki Support School's elementary division, a bento work was displayed with a sheet of music for the children's song "Bento" on top. While creating the work, or perhaps after completing it, they likely sang together. The piece evokes a feeling that I can hear the joyful voices of the children coming from it.
The works from the junior high division of the Kurashiki Support School included sakosh bags. These were made for carrying transportation IC cards and rehabilitation notebooks when using public transport during field trips. Just looking at the many sakosh bags lined up brings to mind the children walking through the city with them.
2nd Floor Exhibition
Upon going up to the 2nd floor, I found works from elementary school special support classes and hospital classes.
The works from the elementary school special support classes gave the impression of many small pieces from various children coming together to form a large collective work.
The characteristics of children in special support classes vary widely, and many find it difficult to work collaboratively. However, even those children can progress at their own pace with individual tasks and come together to finish a single piece, gaining the experience of having created something together.
Having something they worked hard on displayed at the city art museum, where many people come to see it, must surely become an invaluable memory for the children.
Additionally, the children from the hospital classes exhibited works created during outreach courses at the Ohara Museum of Art.
Children who cannot easily leave the hospital may have embarked on a journey of imagination inspired by their art. They have painted not only flowers but also the colors of the pond, each with its own unique personality. Additionally, it seems that while creating their works, various images related to flowers and the places where they bloom have been expanding in their minds.
Conclusion
The numerous works displayed in the exhibition room were all carefully created and were very interesting.
I used to work as a teacher at a special needs school.
In special needs schools, it is often the case that there is only one class per grade, and some schools have only one special needs class.
Teachers in the field currently have fewer opportunities to consult with others or observe other teachers' classes compared to regular schools.
In such a situation, I thought it was a wonderful exhibition where works from special needs classes and special needs schools throughout Kurashiki City could gather, allowing for learning from the initiatives of other schools.
Moreover, for the children and their parents, having their works displayed at the Kurashiki City Art Museum, where many citizens come to see, will surely lead to a great joy and confidence.
The 35th Kurashiki Kids Friendship Art Exhibition is being held until January 28, 2023 (Sunday). Why not take this opportunity to see the works brimming with the energy of the children?
Articles about Kurashiki City Art Museum
Data for the 35th Kurashiki Kids Friendship Art Exhibition
| Name | 35th Kurashiki Kids Friendship Art Exhibition |
|---|---|
| Dates | January 23, 2023 (Tuesday) – January 28, 2023 (Sunday) 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Location | 2-6-1 Chuo, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Participation Fee (including tax) | Free |
| Website | Kurashiki City Art Museum 35th Kurashiki Kids Friendship Art Exhibition |
