‘Art from the Heart’ to shine at OC Arts and Disability Festival on April 26

The 49th annual Orange County Arts and Disability Festival will return to MainPlace Mall in Santa Ana on Saturday, April 26, with a day of performances, exhibits and hands-on activities that celebrate the talents of artists with disabilities.

Presented by the Orange County Department of Education and Orange County Arts and Disability, the family-friendly event is free and open to the public as part of Arts Orange County’s annual “Imagination Celebration.”

This year’s theme, “Art from the Heart,” emphasizes the power of creative expression as a form of communication, self-expression and empowerment.

“For many students with disabilities, art serves as a powerful form of communication,” said Marleena Barber, director of Orange County Arts and Disability. “The festival is a powerful platform for inclusion, creativity and representation. It amplifies the voices of artists with disabilities, challenges social perceptions and ensures that art truly belongs to everyone.”

Opening ceremonies begin at 11 a.m. in Macy’s court, followed by American Sign Language-interpreted performances through 4 p.m. The event will be hosted by Dani Bowman, an award-winning animator and cast member of Netflix’s “Love on the Spectrum,” with interpretation by Dawn Morin from the Huntington Beach Union High School District.

Scheduled performers include the Hope School Singers from the Anaheim Union High School District, StraightUp Abilities AllStars, Creative Identity musicians, Kizuna Taiko drummers and more.

The festival will also feature art activities, a community resource fair and an exhibit showcasing work by Orange County students with disabilities — from transitional kindergarten through adult transition programs — along with pieces by adult artists with disabilities. The exhibit will remain on display in Center Court from April 25 through April 29 during mall hours.

Fifth-grader’s art takes center stage

This year’s theme artwork, titled “Splashes of Love,” was created by Johnny Tran, a fifth-grader from Salk Elementary School in the Magnolia School District.

“I feel very happy and relaxed when I’m doing art,” Johnny said. “I want people to feel very happy when they see it.”

Johnny says he discovered art through school and early experiences drawing with crayons — especially the ones handed out at restaurants when dining with his family. He’s been creating art since he was very young.

Being selected as the winner of the themed artwork contest, he said, “is a dream come true.”

Sponsors for the 2025 festival include MainPlace Mall, the OCDE and Orange County Arts and Disability. Keller Williams Legacy Realty is also supporting the event by providing accessibility items such as noise-canceling headphones, fidget tools, and Braille and large-print materials.

For more information, contact Marleena Barber at s.mbarber@ocde.us.