Panaji: Art is often used as therapy for neurodivergent individuals, and even when talent is evident, it can remain confined to therapeutic settings. At Aldona, however, an art collective for neurodiverse teenagers and adults is pushing past that limit, channelising creativity into professional training designed to help participants build careers in art.Owl House Neurodiverse Skilling Centre, Goa, began in 2018 with a focus on therapy for children and adults. Over time, the work prompted a shift in ambition. Renuka Figueirado of Owl House said that, after working with participants, “realisation struck that therapy only goes to a certain extent”, and that the centre needed to “bring transformative changes through which the students can experience a career and independence”.Today, 13 students aged 15 to 45 years — mostly from different parts of North Goa — train with the collective to set up their own art practice. Participants include people with neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism, ADHD, Down syndrome, or global developmental delay. Some students are non-verbal, adding another layer of challenge for professional visual artist Pakhi Sen, who works closely with the group.“We decided to focus on training and professional skills for adults who are neurodiverse. They not only receive art training here under Sen, but the art collective helps them connect to a community to make life meaningful and purposeful so they do not have to go through it in isolation,” said Figueirado.A turning point came after one student exhibited work at the Serendipity Arts Festival. Soon after, Owl House formalised the programme, offering professional training and guidance three days a week, aimed at creating a platform for neurodiverse artists.Sen began with workshops that exposed participants to different painting mediums. In the centre’s green surroundings, she chose ecological themes — and saw a change. The students’ creativity, she noticed, “blossomed like never before”.No two students approach art the same way, and their choices of medium range from sketching and crayons to acrylic and poster colours. “We have to look at each student’s dexterity and mobility and also what medium they prefer. We are looking at ways in which their voices can translate into creativity. Every student thinks differently and comes with their own challenges and surprises. So we work as per their individual requirements. It is interesting how they can expand a technique introduced to them,” said Sen.Participants are already looking beyond the classroom and towards the gallery wall. Thirty-two-year-old Siddhant Nath gravitates towards abstract works, often drawing on elements he notices around him, including birds and animals. “I have never done an exhibition of my works and would like to try having one,” said Nath.Young adult Renee Lobo is also thinking about taking her work to market. “I like to paint and want to sell my paintings and make them even more colourful,” said Lobo.
