Art for and by children with autism fuels hope

Autism Hearts Foundation Executive Director Thomas Natale (left) presents a shawl to Rachel Grant, assisted by Consul General Tess Dizon De Vega, this writer and DFA officer Wendell Gaa.

NEW YORK–With the upcoming celebration of World Autism Day in the United Nations on April 2, children with autism are getting ready to come to the Big Apple with their hand-painted piña fabrics for the Fashion Arts Autism Benefit (FAAB), a series of exhibits and an international runway show to be held at the Philippine Center here.

FAAB Ambassador of Hope “Bond girl” Rachel Grant modeled some of the finished products during a recent meeting of the organizers, the Autism Heart Foundation, community volunteers and the Philippine Consulate General of New York.

Ambassador of Hope, The Honorable Rachel Louise Grant de Longueuil of Nottingham, UK, models the hand-painted pineapple fabric designed by 13-year-old Daniel Cruz Sanchez, for FAAB. PORSHA SEECHUNG

Consul General Tess Dizon de Vega and AHF Executive Director Thomas Natale presented a token of appreciation to Grant for her efforts in promoting the hand-painted products by the children with autism.

Proceeds from the weeklong events will benefit the art therapy program and art training sessions in the Philippines, which include training children with autism to become productive citizens as their products are transformed into distinctive Filipiniana attire by world-renowned designers Patis Pamintuan-Tesoro and Anthony Legarda.

Several activities are lined up: April 3- Exhibit and Opening Reception at the United Nations lobby; April 5-Art Workshop participated by children with autism and New York artists followed by a Silent Auction of art pieces donated by several artists from New York; April 7-Fashion for Hope runway show presenting the final products that have been painstakingly designed to commemorate the beginning of a new era of artists with autism.

The Filipino-American community in New York and various organizations have pledged assistance to make this event possible. Sponsors include Loida Nicolas Lewis, Sonia Delen, New York Life Company, Fil-Am Who’s Who magazine and a number of Filipino American organizations that pledged to support the international runway show.

Limited seatings for the fashion show are now available for reservation online at https://faab-fashionforhope.eventbrite.com Further information of how you can help may be relayed to the Autism Hearts Foundation Tel. (1) 415-392-0882.