{"id":250988,"date":"2021-08-12T16:38:53","date_gmt":"2021-08-12T21:38:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.liveaction.org\/news\/?p=250988"},"modified":"2021-08-12T10:19:04","modified_gmt":"2021-08-12T15:19:04","slug":"beauty-down-syndrome-art","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/archive.liveaction.org\/news\/beauty-down-syndrome-art\/","title":{"rendered":"Beauty of Down syndrome displayed in incredible new art exhibit"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The beauty of people with Down syndrome is on display at a new art exhibit that opened earlier this month in Kansas City, Missouri. The exhibit, titled “Just as I Am,” is a portrait gallery of a variety of people with Down syndrome. According to photographer Randy Bacon’s website<\/a>, “the project’s aim is to create awareness and a better understanding of Down syndrome through raw, authentic stories, intimate portraiture, and short film series, as to change the way we see those with Down syndrome.” The exhibit is the work of Bacon, in partnership with the non-profit organizations 7 Billion Ones<\/a> and Down Syndrome Innovations<\/a>.<\/p>\n

According to local news station\u00a0KSHB<\/a>, the exhibit will feature black-and-white photographs of people living with Down syndrome. Alongside the portraits will be video interviews in which these individuals talk about their hopes and dreams.<\/p>\n

READ: Mother-daughter business owners show others with Down syndrome that no dream is too big<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Bacon’s website describes the initiative in greater detail, saying, “These individuals are not deficient in any way; but are in fact ‘extra.’ An extra chromosome gives those with Down syndrome an extraordinary ability to see the good, the joy, and the beauty in this world that the rest of us can\u2019t see. This project challenges us to celebrate those with Down syndrome just as they are and to recognize the gifts and talents these individuals bring to the world.”<\/p>\n

A video trailer attached to the project gives viewers a glimpse at what they might see at the exhibit. “My dream is to be a PE teacher and a coach for the Special Olympics,” one young man says, while a young woman says, “I want to go to Mizzou, and I want to study ASL.” Another man says, “People with Down syndrome have a wonderful, beautiful life, just like me.”<\/p>\n