Different strokes make great folks | The Aucklander Letters to the Editor | Local Voices from Auckland, Australia

Every person is an individual from whom we can learn, discovers Valerie Schuler at an art class for intellectually and physically disabled people.

What is the difference between a boy and a girl? What's the difference between you and me? What is perfection?

These are some of the questions that arise during my one-hour session at Spark Studio, an Auckland charity that runs art classes for people with physical and intellectual disabilities.

I've come for a "drawing the human figure" class with tutor Ian Moore. I'm among the first "able bodied" people to attend.

The New Zealand Disability Strategy aims to establish a more inclusive society by bringing people of all abilities together, thereby whittling away barriers and prejudices that ordinarily keep them apart. Spark Studio is giving this a go by opening its weekly classes to everyone.

"It's a growing trend in the disabilities sector," says Spark Studio director Suzanne Vesty. "People can be shocked when they first come into an environment like this. There's a lot of fear and people are not sure how to behave. This will help to break down some of those barriers, but we have a long history and a lot of conditioning to get over and it will take time."

It certainly takes some adjustment. I sit next to a young man called Shannon and try to look as inconspicuous as possible. The tutor, Ian, hands out large sheets of paper  marked out in grids.

We start to draw. First a head, then shoulders. Slowly, something remotely resembling a human form takes shape in front of me. The guy next to me points out that my person's head looks like a rugby ball. I can't argue with that. If these people can laugh at themselves, then so can I.

"A woman's waist goes in and a man's is straight," says Ian as he adds a waist to the forming figure on the large sheet at the front of the class. "Not always," someone yells across the room. We all laugh.

A young man called Jared asks what the difference is between a boy and a girl. "A female has a more pointed chin," says one of the tutors.

A woman across the room is upset. "I'm not doing it very well," she says.

The tutor reassures her we are all here to learn and the woman dries her tears and goes back to work.

Ian hands out photocopied drawings of the "perfect" male and female shape. This sparks another conversation about the physical differences between boys and girls. Jared probes on. He wants details.

"You can draw details next term in the life drawing class," says the tutor. "For now, we are here to learn the basic dimensions of the human form."

"Some are tall, some are short, some are fat, some are small," someone interjects poetically.  Jared repeats this, more or less to himself.

As I look around, I realise this couldn't be more true. We are all different, but there's something valuable to be learned from those differences.

Bright sparks

Spark Studio, in the heart of Fowlds Park in St Lukes, opened in 1996. Originally called Panacea Arts, it was set up to provide a place where people of all abilities could exercise their creativity.

Over the years, the studio's artists have exhibited their drawings, prints and paintings. They have also published a book of their works.

Classes are run by qualified art tutors and include print-making, drawing, mixed media and open studio sessions.

The studio's first "all abilities" sessions  start next term. Everyone is welcome.

"The classes would be perfect for anyone who's new to art and may be a bit nervous to come to a class," says arts administrator Josie Maskell.

All profits go into running Spark Studio.

For more info, ph Josie on 845 5361 or email josie@sparkstudio.org.nz