Edmonton art studio hosts Down Syndrome art exhibit

Posted March 4, 2023 6:14 pm Updated March 4, 2023 6:16 pm Art created by 21 artists with Down Syndrome hangs on a gallery wall. Global News A unique exhibit began Saturday at Studio YEGR that includes 21 artists showcasing what makes them special—they all have down syndrome. Nine-year-old Jordan Grace is one of those artists. Her contributing piece titled “Down Syndrome Karyotype” is a colourful painting that features what makes her unique.“Makes me happy,” said Jordan Grace, holding up her painting.Organizer Maria MacKeigan started the event to show the community that having Down Syndrome doesn’t hold a person back—a sound lesson she wish she knew when her daughter, Jordan Grace, was diagnosed with Down Syndrome.“They told me that she wouldn’t be able to do anything, basically, and our lives are pretty much over. So, it was really scared to me,” MacKeigan recalled. Story continues below advertisement A dead-end life couldn’t be farther from the truth for her daughter and many others with Down Syndrome, like entrepreneur Julia Zylia. Trending Now Zylia has created a business out of her passion for baking cookies. She’s even hired five employees with disabilities for her company: Treats by Special P.The company, who’s motto is “A special place, for special people to do special things,” makes five different kinds of cookies, but Zylia has a definite favourite. 2:14 Edmonton teen living with Down syndrome fulfills basketball dream “I like chocolate.”MacKeigan says she hopes this weekend’s event serves as a reminder to the community that people with Down Syndrome are just people.“The more people that see what they can do, what they’re capable of doing and how beautiful their lives are. Jordan Grace, my daughter, has a zest for life. She shows me more about life than anybody has ever done before. Story continues below advertisement “It’s not about what she can do for us or for society—she’s human, just like you and me and she needs to be accepted for who she is.” &copy 2023 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc. Sponsored content Flyers