VIRTUAL ART GALLERY

THE WORLD'S FIRST VIRTUAL ART GALLERY LAUNCHED BY VOICE OF SPECIAL ABLED PEOPLE(VOSAP) THE THEME OF DISABILITY - " VOSAP ART GALLERY " INAUGURATED BY INDIA'S CABINET MINISTER DR THAWAR CHAND GEHLOT MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE

The Voice of Special Abled People (VOSAP) globally launched the World’s First Virtual Art Gallery on 5TH December 2020 and was inaugurated by Dr T. C. Gehlot, Union Minister, Ministry of Social Justice, Government of India. The initiative by the VOSAP received very high accolades from Chairman, Executive Board, WHO and Hon’ble Prime Minister of India for using the technology and art to achieve inclusion of Specially Abled People.

This unique initiative is to spread awareness on skills, talent of specially-abled people by virtue of powerful tools of visual art and using technology is now taken to the next level with launch of virtual VOSAP Art Gallery of selected 250 artwork of 250 artists. This digital platform can now reach to millions of people around the world, thus not only giving global exposure to Artists, wings to their aspirations but also helping redene disability with vivid paintings, drawings beautifully portraying aspirations, issues, talents, solutions, emotions of specially abled people. Voice of SAP is a global advocacy non- prot organization, promoting Empowerment of Specially Abled People (SAP). The initiative “VOSAP Art from Heart” is aimed at spreading awareness, bring out emotions, beautiful expressions of creative mind, giving powerful message as an art work to promote Inclusion. Shri,Pranav Desai is the Founder of Voice of SAP who inspires thousands of Abled and Disabled around the world. “Inclusion of 1 BN+ specially abled people is a 21st-century opportunity in front of the world and such initiatives are aimed to touch hearts of millions of people so that there is “True Access” in the society, beyond physical accessibility, ” The Hon’ble Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi was the Chief Guest and Chairman, Exec Board of WHO, Dr Harsh Vardhan who sent congratulatory messages to winners of VOSAP Art from Heart.

MR.PRANAV DESAI ,FOUNDER VOSAP WITH HON’BLE PRIME MINISTER SHRI NARENDRA MODI – MESSAGE TO VOSAPIANS

All the nalists in each category of the contest were congratulated for their creativity, compassion and Empathy to give expression for theme of DISABILITY. They are trendsetters, leaders for thousands of future artists to follow them to embrace creativity and accept challenge to do something new!

Participants worked on the theme –Disability and they portrayed on emotions, anxiety, aspirations and dreams of a Specially Abled Person. It could also be related to real life challenges faced in the society by Visually impaired, Mobility impaired, Hearing impaired or Learning disability of Specially Abled People (SAP). This International Art contest will now help participants and families to think deeply about 15% of global population, considered Persons with Disabilities. During COVID19 pandemic, while stress levels are high, thinking of SAP may provide opportunity to understand lesser known aspects of the lives of Persons with Disabilities and get inspired to give profound, inspiring message for their inclusion in society with best of artistic talent. The Judges for professional artist category were of International repute like Amanda Lynn, Charan Sharma, Dr Debashish Banerji, who are great inspiration for many artists ! They also had very reputed artists as Judges on the panel for aspiring artists ,namely Dr Kamakar Datta, Bhavin Kothari from the National Institute of Design. Total panel of 9 Judges from the US, Indian and UK provided their ratings. Panel of Judges included Gloria Muriel, Zahir Shaikh, Bakulesh Joshi and Vaidehi Parekh ,the Art Director, San Jose. The Advisers included Dolly Parikh, Amanda Lynn and Chinar Desai. The award ceremony and volunteers had come forward and described more about disability with beautiful, thought provoking artwork on DISABILITY and there were 50 winners from 24 countries. “Unconditional” from Ms Amanda Lynn, “Determination” – Dr Kamakar Datta , “The Ride” from Adarsh Bajji.

The initiative VOSAP Art from Heart concluded on December 5 2020 with the Annual Award and Gala Ceremony, marking the celebration of the World Disability Day. On the ceremony launched world’s 1st virtual art gallery of 250 artists on the theme of disability with the aim of colouring the world with inclusion of specially-abled people through the creative expression of artwork. It saw participation from more than 4,200 artists from 53 countries. This mass movement inspired 74%+ youth below age 30, 15% Specially Abled Artist while 85% of participants with no disability! And, the initiative witnessed 2,200+ artists from 45+ countries giving voice to the Disability Sector along with VOSAP. An international panel of eight Judges identied 50 winners from 24 countries using online platform of VOSAP. The volunteers have played an immense role in the success of this ceremony. In spite of the tough times during COVID-19, the volunteers stepped up, in fact, even more so than before. With their reafrmed resolve and commitment to create a better society, they put in the hard work which made it possible for VOSAP to emerge as an NGO that has made a huge impact, even in these tough times with start of this transformative initiative of VOSAP Art from Heart. The volunteers have played an immense role in the success of this ceremony. In spite of the tough times during COVID-19, the volunteers stepped up, in fact, even more so than before. With their reafrmed resolve and commitment to create a better society, they put in the hard work which made it possible for VOSAP to emerge as an NGO that has made a huge impact, even in these tough times with start of this transformative initiative of VOSAP Art from Heart. The real heroes are the artists who have participated in the initiative and brought in their voice to express the challenges, aspirations and dreams of a Specially-Abled Person. They’ve broken their comfort zone and chosen to create art on a difcult topic like “DISABILITY” , hence, becoming a part of the change themselves, and understanding the lesser known aspects of lives of People with Disabilities to beautifully portray their emotions through art. Jessica Cox ,the First Armless Person in the World to Have Obtained a Pilot’s License and her Black Belt was Guest Speaker and who has been a great motivational speaker and travelled to 27 countries, inspiring millions of people.

Master Sparsh Shah who is VOSAP youth ambassador, motivational speaker, singer, song writer hosted the VOSAP Annual Gala on 05 December 2020 which included photo competition , entertainment and soulful singing. Art is to be used as a tool to mobilise artists to become change makers of tomorrow !