Artistic talent without boundaries

For everyone involved with Mixed Palette in Rockingham, the idea of inclusion, no matter who you are, triumphs over all.

Mixed Palette, originally called the Community Art Room, was formed in 2006 as a part of Nulsen Disability Services.

The arts group has taken people with intellectual disabilities in particular under its wing, giving them a creative outlet often not open to them.

For co-ordinator Evelyn Sim, the idea of including and helping people with intellectual disabilities push the artistic envelope is something that brings her great joy.

“To isolate people with intellectual disabilities is so crazy — it’s just so easy to open the door to everyone,” Ms Sim said.

“It’s really hard to push the idea they don’t need to be separated, that people with intellectual disabilities don’t have to be waited on.

“If you give them the chance to up the bar and figure something out for themselves, they’ll do it.”

Since an early start that saw it move around a number of facilities, including Rockingham TAFE, sheds and garages, Mixed Palette has now found a place to call home at Star of the Sea out-of-school care.

It has also operated independently for the past five years as a volunteer-based, not-for-profit organisation.

While the journey hasn’t been without difficulties, Ms Sim said the “fantastic community” it had created kept it going.

“It’s so important because it allows people to be contributors, to be seen as individuals and to develop a true sense of self-expression that is acknowledged,” she said.

“You can see the change in people from when they first walked in — not only as artists but as people, too.”

Space is tight for the group, but about seven artists get together once a week for a two-hour program facilitated by a professional artist.

Different artistic styles are accommodated and while some people progress faster than others, the quality of work is stunning.

Some artists have had their work featured at exhibitions.

“We don’t touch their work or tell them what to do, this is entirely personal inspiration,” Ms Sim said.

With 10 years under their wing, Ms Sim said she would love to take things up a level in the next decade.

“My dream would be to have a building we could open to the whole community,” she said.

“A place where people could come and sit with all sorts of people, where it is hosted by people with an intellectual disability.”

For its 10th anniversary, Mixed Palette is hosting a celebration this weekend at Rockingham Arts Centre.

An art workshop and demonstration will be held on Friday with an exhibition and silent auction on Saturday.

A pop-up shop and a chance to meet artists will run on Sunday, with events topped off with the group’s inaugural annual general meeting on Monday. For more, visit www.mixedpaletteinc.com.