The World Through Different Eyes

Call for Artists: The World Through Different Eyes

What if you could show someone how you experience the world without having to find all the right words?

Portside ART Institute is developing a new community art and accessibility project called The World Through Different Eyes.

Our first exhibition will feature artwork created by autistic individuals who want to share their unique perspectives through colour, texture, shape, pattern and tactile relief carving.

We are inviting autistic artists of different ages and artistic abilities to participate.

You do not need to be an experienced artist. You do not need to be able to explain everything in words. Your artwork can communicate in its own way.

You decide what you want to create, what you want to share and how you want your work presented.

Selected artwork will become part of a community exhibition inviting visitors to see, touch, listen and discover how differently people can experience the world.

Your perspective matters. Your creativity matters. Your voice deserves to be seen.

Interested in Participating or Learning More?

Contact Portside ART Institute to express your interest in The World Through Different Eyes.

Community Art, Accessibility & Understanding Project

A Portside ART Institute Initiative

1. Project Overview

The World Through Different Eyes is an ongoing community art initiative developed by Portside ART Institute, a not-for-profit organization committed to creative education, community participation and inclusive opportunities.

The project invites individuals to communicate their experiences and perspectives through creative expression. Using tactile relief carving, sculpture, colour, texture, mixed media, storytelling and audio, participating artists create original works that offer audiences an opportunity to experience the world from perspectives different from their own.

The first exhibition will focus on autism, featuring artwork created by autistic individuals who wish to share aspects of their lived experiences.

The project is founded on one central idea:

Instead of asking people to experience the world the way everyone else does, we invite them to show the world how they experience it.

2. Project Vision

To create opportunities for people with different lived experiences to communicate their perspectives through art, while encouraging accessibility, understanding, inclusion and meaningful community connection.

3. Project Objectives

The project aims to:

• Provide creative opportunities for individuals to communicate their experiences in ways that suit their abilities and preferences.
• Increase public understanding of different sensory, emotional, social and perceptual experiences.
• Promote accessibility through tactile, visual and audio-based exhibition experiences.
• Recognize artists as the authorities on their own experiences and the meanings of their artwork.
• Create opportunities for meaningful participation by individuals who may not traditionally have access to public art exhibitions.
• Encourage dialogue between artists, families, educators, professionals and community members.
• Develop an ongoing collection of community artwork that can be exhibited in different locations.

4. First Exhibition: Autism Through Different Eyes

The initial project will invite autistic individuals to create original artwork representing how they experience the world.

Artists may choose to explore themes such as:

• Sensory experiences involving sound, light, touch, movement and texture.
• The experience of being in busy or unpredictable environments.
• Communication and relationships.
• Patterns, routines and personal interests.
• Comfort, safety and belonging.
• Experiences of overwhelm and the need for quiet.
• Joy, imagination and creativity.
• The experience of navigating a world designed around different expectations.

These are optional creative prompts. Artists are free to develop their own subjects and interpretations.

The exhibition will emphasize that there is no single autistic experience and that each artist’s work represents an individual perspective.

5. Artistic Approach and Materials

The signature medium will be tactile relief artwork, allowing artists to create raised, carved or layered surfaces that can be explored visually and, where appropriate, through touch.

Possible materials include:

• Carved wood and relief panels.
• Modelling clay and air-dry clay.
• Plaster and other suitable mouldable materials.
• Textured canvases.
• Mixed-media materials.
• Fabric, foam, cardboard and recycled materials.
• Paint, colour and surface treatments.
• Digital artwork adapted into tactile formats.

Materials will be selected according to the artist’s interests, accessibility requirements, safety considerations and creative preferences.

No artist will be required to use a particular medium or complete a particular style of artwork.

6. Artist Participation

Portside will invite approximately 6–10 artists to participate in the first exhibition.

Participation will be voluntary. Artists may receive individual or small-group creative support depending on their preferences and support needs.

Each artist will have the opportunity to:

• Choose their artwork subject.
• Select their preferred materials.
• Work at their own pace.
• Decide what they wish to communicate.
• Provide an artist statement in their own words or preferred communication format.
• Decide whether they wish to be identified publicly.
• Decide whether they wish to record an audio explanation.
• Approve how their work is displayed and described.

Artists do not need previous art experience.

7. Artist Statements and Audio Recordings

Each artwork will be accompanied by an artist statement explaining the artist’s intended meaning.

Artists may communicate their explanation through:

• Written statements.
• Dictated statements.
• Audio recordings.
• Video recordings.
• Communication devices or supported communication.
• An approved explanation prepared with the artist.

The artist’s own explanation will guide the visitor’s understanding. Visitors will be encouraged to appreciate the artwork without assuming that their interpretation represents the artist’s intention.

8. Exhibition Design and Visitor Experience

The exhibition will be designed as a multisensory educational experience.

Each artwork may include:

• Visual Experience: Visitors can explore colour, shape, pattern, composition and artistic details.
• Tactile Experience: Selected pieces will be available for visitors to touch, with clear instructions identifying which surfaces may be handled.
• Audio Experience: QR codes or listening stations may provide recordings of the artists explaining their work.
• Written Experience: Artist statements will be displayed alongside the artwork.
• Reflection: Visitors will be invited to consider how differently people can experience the same environment, interaction or situation.

The exhibition will include accessible pathways, clear signage, readable descriptions and seating where possible.

9. Community Engagement

Potential community partners include:

• Autism and neurodiversity organizations.
• Schools and educational organizations.
• Libraries and community centres.
• Disability support organizations.
• Local artists and art educators.
• Universities and colleges.
• Community galleries and exhibition spaces.
• Families and caregivers.
• Accessibility and inclusion initiatives.

Portside may also invite educators and community professionals to attend an opening event or participate in educational discussions.

10. Project Timeline

Phase 1 — Development and Preparation (Weeks 1–2)

• Finalize the project description and first exhibition theme.
• Develop artist invitations and registration materials.
• Establish participation, consent and artwork ownership arrangements.
• Identify suitable materials and workspace.
• Contact potential community partners and exhibition venues.

Phase 2 — Artist Recruitment (Weeks 3–4)

• Publicize the call for artists.
• Receive expressions of interest.
• Discuss individual accessibility and support needs.
• Confirm participating artists.
• Plan creative sessions and materials.

Phase 3 — Creative Development (Weeks 5–10)

• Facilitate individual or small-group creative sessions.
• Support artists in exploring materials and developing their artwork.
• Document progress with permission.
• Prepare artist statements and optional audio recordings.

Phase 4 — Exhibition Preparation (Weeks 11–12)

• Photograph and catalogue completed artwork.
• Prepare display labels and accessible descriptions.
• Organize the exhibition space.
• Test tactile and audio components.
• Confirm artist approval for display.

Phase 5 — Community Exhibition

• Host the first public exhibition.
• Invite community organizations, families and educators.
• Provide opportunities for visitors to explore the work.
• Gather feedback from artists and visitors.

Phase 6 — Evaluation and Future Development

• Evaluate artist participation and visitor experiences.
• Document lessons learned.
• Identify opportunities for travelling exhibitions.
• Develop the next exhibition theme.

11. Accessibility, Consent and Artist Rights

Artist autonomy and dignity will guide all aspects of the project.

Portside will establish procedures addressing:

• Voluntary participation and informed consent.
• Parent or guardian consent where legally required, alongside the participant’s own agreement and preferences.
• Consent for photographs, recordings and promotional materials.
• Permission for public display and reproduction of artwork.
• Ownership and return of original artwork.
• Artist recognition and preferred identification.
• Accessibility and communication accommodations.
• Safe handling and display of tactile materials.
• Withdrawal from participation and future display arrangements.

Original artwork will remain the artist’s property unless a separate voluntary agreement is made.

Artists will not be required to disclose a diagnosis, personal history or other private information to participate.

12. Evaluation

The first exhibition will be evaluated through feedback from artists, visitors and participating community partners.

Evaluation questions may include:

• Did artists feel that they had meaningful control over their creative work?
• Did artists feel their perspectives were represented accurately?
• Were the creative activities accessible and enjoyable?
• Did visitors engage with the tactile, visual and audio components?
• Did the exhibition encourage new understanding or reflection?
• What accessibility improvements would strengthen future exhibitions?
• What would artists like to explore in another project?

The evaluation will focus on project quality, accessibility, participation and community learning rather than measuring or assessing the artists.

13. Budget Considerations

A preliminary project budget should include:

• Art materials and carving supplies.
• Adaptive tools and accessibility equipment.
• Protective equipment and safety supplies.
• Creative facilitation and support.
• Artist honoraria or participation recognition.
• Exhibition display materials and mounting.
• Audio recording and QR-code production.
• Photography and digital exhibition development.
• Venue rental, where applicable.
• Promotion, printing and signage.
• Transportation or accessibility-related participation expenses.

Portside will explore sponsorships, donations, community partnerships and grant opportunities to support participation without creating unnecessary financial barriers for artists.

14. Future Exhibition Themes

Following the first autism-focused exhibition, The World Through Different Eyes may expand to explore:

• Living with different abilities.
• Experiences of grief and loss.
• Memory and identity.
• Intergenerational experiences.
• Communication and connection.
• Experiences of belonging and exclusion.
• Different cultural and community perspectives.
• Experiences of navigating physical and social environments.

Each exhibition will be developed with the participation and input of the people whose experiences are being represented.

15. Project Identity

Project Name:

The World Through Different Eyes

First Exhibition:

Autism Through Different Eyes

Organization:

Portside ART Institute

Project Category:

Community Art, Creative Education, Accessibility and Public Engagement

Suggested Tagline:

Different experiences. Different perspectives. A world with more ways to understand.

Closing Vision

The World Through Different Eyes is an invitation to reconsider how we understand one another.

Art can communicate experiences that are difficult to explain through ordinary language. A carved surface, a colour, a pattern or a carefully chosen shape can offer another person a glimpse into an experience they may never have considered.

The project does not ask artists to make themselves understandable according to someone else’s expectations. Instead, it creates the space, materials and opportunity for artists to communicate on their own terms.

We do not all see, feel or experience the world in the same way. The more perspectives we are willing to encounter, the more complete our understanding of the world becomes.

The World Through Different Eyes — A Portside ART Institute Community Initiative.