Quick look: The 50th annual Orange County Arts and Disability Festival will return April 25 at MainPlace Mall in Santa Ana, celebrating five decades of creativity, inclusion and artistic expression with performances, exhibits and hands-on activities for the community.
Golden accents, vibrant artwork and the sounds of live performances will fill MainPlace Mall later this month as the Orange County Arts and Disability Festival marks a milestone 50th anniversary — celebrating five decades of elevating artists with disabilities across the region.
The free, family-friendly event will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 25, bringing together students and adult artists for a day of performances, interactive art activities and a community resource fair.
Presented by the Orange County Department of Education in partnership with Orange County Arts and Disability and MainPlace Mall, the festival is part of Arts Orange County’s annual “Imagination Celebration.”
This year’s theme, “Shine On,” reflects the event’s golden anniversary and honors the artists, educators and community members who have shaped its legacy since it began in 1976.
“We are proud that Orange County was one of the first in California to recognize and celebrate artists with disabilities in 1976, and that 50 years later, that legacy is still going strong,” said Marleena Barber, director of Orange County Arts and Disability. “Our theme reflects this golden anniversary and serves as a powerful reminder to keep that light shining brightly for generations to come.”
Opening ceremonies will begin at 11 a.m., featuring a collaborative American Sign Language performance of “America the Beautiful” by fourth-grade students — including deaf and hard of hearing students — from the Fountain Valley School District’s James H. Cox and Robert Gisler elementary schools.
Throughout the day, audiences can enjoy a wide range of performances, including Kizuna Taiko drumming, the Hope School Singers from the Anaheim Union High School District, StraightUp Abilities dance groups and musicians from Creative Identity and OC Music Services. Dani Bowman, an award-winning animator known for her appearance on Netflix’s “Love on the Spectrum,” will serve as emcee.
American Sign Language interpretation for the opening ceremony and performances will be provided by Mayleen Richardson of the Anaheim Union High School District and Dawn Morin of the Huntington Beach Union High School District.
Hands-on activities and community connections
In addition to live performances, the festival will feature dozens of hands-on art activities hosted by community partners, from Braille bookmark-making and digital art exploration to interactive crafts such as suncatchers, affirmation mirrors and collaborative art projects.
A special addition this year is the Knead More Ceramics Workshop, led by Jennifer Finlan, a blind artist with Gifted BACK — Blind Artists, Crafters and Knitters. Participants can learn clay hand-building techniques and create their own ceramic rose during scheduled sessions.
The event will also showcase a visual art exhibit featuring work by students and adults with disabilities from across Orange County, highlighting a range of artistic styles and mediums.
Kindergartener’s artwork reflects “Shine On” theme
This year’s themed artwork, titled “Sun,” was created by Lucciano Iglesias, a kindergartener from Oka Elementary School in the Fountain Valley School District.
Selected by members of the Orange County Arts and Disability Board and educators from the Orange County Arts and Special Education Network, the piece captures the spirit of the festival’s theme through bold color and expressive design.
“Lucciano is a wonderful example of this year’s theme, ‘Shine On,’” said his teacher, Heather Cottle. “He radiates happiness and positivity in all that he does. His creativity shines throughout the school day in many ways, including his artwork.”
Cottle added that Lucciano approaches each activity with determination and enthusiasm, and that his artwork reflects a joyful and bright perspective that resonates with viewers.
For more information, contact Marleena Barber at s.mbarber@ocde.us.