The fifth annual art exhibition “Perspectives” organized by the Friends of Children with Special Needs (FCSN) opened on the afternoon of August 21st (Friday) in Fremont. Close to 50 special needs children showcased their view of the world through various art forms such as painting, pottery, digital art, and mixed media.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of FCSN, and the art exhibition serves as a celebration of the organization’s three-decade journey, showcasing the talents and creativity of special needs children.
Co-President of FCSN, Chen Huiming, told Epoch Times that over the past 30 years, FCSN has evolved from mutual support between parents and children to establishing centers and various service programs. Teachers and staff guide children based on their abilities to engage in activities like art and music.
She expressed FCSN’s desire to be a platform for children to “try different things,” discover their strengths, and help them shine in society.
Claire Brady, the Senior Director of FCSN and Co-Chair of the art exhibition, mentioned in an interview that this year, there are around 170 artworks displayed on the walls, not including pottery works, contributed by approximately 50 creators. Over 90% of the pieces, if not close to all, are new works that have never been publicly exhibited before.
Vivian Largusa, who co-organized the exhibition, mentioned the diverse range of artwork types, including acrylic paintings, oil paintings, watercolors, pencil and pen drawings, pottery, 3D clay sculptures, collages, embroidery, digital art, and mixed media works made with materials like twigs, leaves, and flowers.
Many of the artworks are guided by FCSN teachers, with children practicing at home and receiving support from their families. Due to varying abilities and progress of each creator, some complete over ten pieces in a year while others only finish one or two, showcasing the long-term dedication of creators, families, teachers, and support networks.
Five spotlight artists were selected by the organizers this year. Claire Brady mentioned that the biggest challenge during the preparation process was the “abundance of talent,” starting with the intention to choose one spotlight artist and eventually increasing it to five due to the difficulty of making selections.
Agastya Prakash, a 10-year-old Indian descent artist, is one of the youngest spotlight artists this year. He started painting at around two and a half years old, favoring watercolors, acrylics, colored pencils, pastels, and digital art. He described FCSN as his home, providing him the opportunity to discover his talent and share his creations with more people.
In an interview, Agastya mentioned that he already has 21 paintings. His mother shared that over the past year and a half, he has continued learning to paint with teachers, inspired by numerous artists, and started incorporating different techniques like single-point perspective, impressionism, and digital painting. She observed that art not only allows the child to unleash creativity but also helps him focus, calm emotions, and express himself.
Another spotlight artist, Jay Shah, has been painting for over 20 years and joined the FCSN Supported Employment Program (SEP) in 2024. He currently focuses on oil paintings and switched from traditional brushes to palette knives for painting.
Jay expressed that sharing his art with others has always been his dream, and the encouragement from family, friends, and FCSN staff has allowed him to keep exploring new creative avenues. Before the event, he had already sold three pieces.
Some of the artworks displayed on-site are available for purchase, with the organizers encouraging the public to support the creators by buying their works. This initiative aims to make art not only a form of self-expression but also a source of pride and income for individuals with special needs.
Justin Huang enjoys depicting houses, architecture, and urban landscapes. On stage, he mentioned that art helps him express his thoughts, share creativity with others, and hopes his works bring joy to the viewers. Over the years, his teacher has accompanied him in learning, developing creations based on themes that interest Justin through weekly painting practice.
Ryan Lam’s showcased works represent nearly a decade of creative journey. Ryan’s mother recalled that he could identify all the colors of a rainbow by himself in kindergarten but had difficulty holding pencils due to fine motor skill limitations. Eventually, teachers guided him using brushes and watercolors, allowing him to find a suitable artistic expression method.
As Ryan’s focus time is relatively shorter, a single painting often requires multiple sessions to complete. However, after years of dedication, his creative journey is now fully displayed before the audience.
To commemorate FCSN’s 30th anniversary, a large artwork featuring the word “30” in buttons became a focal point at the venue. Luo Xiaoyan, the manager of FCSN After-School Counseling Program, mentioned designing a piece where “every child can participate.” Children only needed to choose different colored and sized buttons and place them in the corresponding positions, allowing almost all students to get involved while enhancing hand-eye coordination, teamwork, and task completion skills.
This artwork, completed by children collectively over nearly two months, used seven to eight colors and tens of thousands of buttons of varying sizes. Luo Xiaoyan expressed the hope that children realize “this is our home, our FCSN,” using the artwork as a gift for the center’s 30th anniversary, providing children with a sense of fulfillment and accomplishment in completing such a large scale project.
Mike Keeley, Customer Service Manager of the San Andreas Regional Center, also attended the event. He reflected that FCSN was established in 1996 by families of individuals with special needs. Thirty years later, the art exhibition once again highlights that “everyone has their own voice.”
Keeley emphasized that while some individuals with disabilities may not communicate face-to-face like typical individuals, art can serve as an incredibly personal and creative way to express oneself, helping convey feelings, build community connections, and showcase capabilities to society.
Fremont Mayor Raj Salwan, Council Member Teresa Keng, and Former Mayor Lily Mei among others were also present to show their support.
Salwan stated in his address that art allows people to see others’ stories and how they perceive the world. The exhibition celebrates creativity, individual uniqueness, and inclusivity. He expressed gratitude to FCSN, parents, teachers, and volunteers for their joint efforts in enabling individuals with special needs to “be seen, be heard, and be accepted.”
The theme “Perspectives” for this exhibition is chosen by the organizers to reflect how each artwork presents the creators’ different viewpoints and ways of perceiving the world. They hope that viewers not only appreciate the artworks but also attempt to step into the creators’ “perspectives,” fostering a better understanding from different angles.
The current edition of the art exhibition is organized by FCSN in cooperation with the King Forest Foundation. The opening event took place on August 21st at the FCSN Center on 42080 Osgood Road, featuring performances and music by Safari Beat Crew. The exhibition will continue to be open from August 24th to 28th, from 10 am to 5 pm daily.