My Arts Project Adventures

This book is dedicated to the wonderful staff at Arts Project Australia (APA) who have been instrumental in assisting Patrick (a special needs artist & athlete) achieve his goals & ambitions. They have constantly encouraged him to fulfil his potential & provided him with every opportunity to showcase his talents on the national & international stage. An Artist & Athlete…. 10 Dec 2010 @ 10:40pm by Geoff Gomes http://northcote-leader.whereilive.com.au/your-news/story/an-artist-and-an-athleter/ Arts Project Australia artist, Patrick Francis, is a young man on a mission – to prove to the world that obstacles are meant to be overcome - with flair! Despite struggling with autism & an intellectual disability, he constantly beats the odds, excelling at sport & art & winning several prestigious awards, including: *Dick Reynolds Youth Sports Award – Dec 2010 from MVCC Mayor, Cr John Sipek *Reward & Recognition Award – Nov 2010 MVCC *MIRA Award – Sporting Achievement: Individual - Dec 2010 from Mayor Sel Sanli; *Leader Weekly Sportstar Nominee - July 12 & Nov 22, 2010; *Gold & Silver Medals in Tenpin Bowling at Special Olympics State Games – Oct 2010 & 2009; *Finalist in Spirit of Moonee Valley Awards – Contribution to Neighbourhood – Oct 2010 *Moonee Valley Foundation Encouragement Award - Aug 2010 *Local Sporting Championship Award in May 2010 from the Hon. Bill Shorten – Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities; *Gold & Bronze Medals at Freestyle & Backstroke at Special Olympics State in March 2010; besides producing some fabulous artwork that was selected for the celebrated: *Annual Gala Exhibition, APA Northcote – Dec 2010 *ADEC Artability Summer Exhibition, Federation Square - Dec 2010 *Annecto Open Windows Exhibition, Boxhill – Oct 2010 *Motion Exhibition, Maribyrnong - Oct 2010 *Rob McNamara Exhibition, Collingwood Gallery – Sept 2010 *Sweet Relief Exhibition, APA – July 2010 *ADEC Home Exhibition, Federation Square, Melbourne - Dec 2009 *Freedman Foundation Acknowledgement for Emerging Artists in 2009. He has participated in Run With The Law in April 2010 where athletes & police, including Chief Commissioner – Simon Overland, joined forces & ran around the MCG to raise funds for Special Olympics Australia besides promoting them on the website, through email, Facebook & Twitter. He also has a facebook page “Absolutely Awetistic” promoting positive global awareness on autism. Patrick is an inspiration to all athletes / artists - through sheer willpower & determination, he has produced striking results as a tenpin bowler, swimmer, golfer & visual artist. This remarkable young lad has certainly broken the mould & proven to the whole world that his resolve, tenacity & steadfastness are the keys to success for all who strive for greatness. Movement and Emotion Exhibition 2011 http://artblart.com/tag/patrick-francis/ An excerpt from Art Blart by Dr Marcus Bunyan 'When I first saw the artwork in the space at the back of the gallery, when they were revealed to me, I gasped at their simple, eloquent beauty. Whimsical & playful, these works possess an element of the carnivalesque, a riot of colour & form that exist on the border of art & life. Mingling depictions of high culture & personal narrative, the works have no pretence but a visceral immediacy: a direct connection from the artist's imagination of the world, through the eyes to the hand & the paper to depict what is in the world. As Susan Sontag observes, “A work of art is a thing in the world, not just a text or commentary on the world…” ' Francis was one of the artists who participated in this group exhibition at Arts Project Australia, Northcote. Special Olympics Medal Haul by Arts Project Australia Artists - eNews : 10.6.10 Patrick Francis was awarded the Local Sporting Championship award for overall outstanding performance of an athlete. Patrick's sports are swimming, golf & tenpin bowling in which he has secured gold medals. Congratulations on your sporting achievements!