Artistic expression is an important form of communication for people with disabilities who often have a limited vocabulary or may have no speech at all.

By creating images, people with intellectual disabilities can make more sense of the world around them, they may include more detail than their speech might allow and they can draw attention to what they feel is important.

The visual art program at Araluen provides hands on experience with a wide variety of materials. It aims to promote confidence and self esteem, provides freedom for individual expression and the production of individual work.

The art program includes studio art, creative craft activities, attending exhibitions, participating in community based workshops and meeting and working with local professional artists.

Many Araluen artists have experienced the pleasure of seeing their work exhibited and sold in the general community.