CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARBULLETIN.COMRyan Guinan dedicated an art piece to his father John at the Art Enabled Festival held at Kakaako Waterfront Park yesterday. The festival, which has become an annual event, showcased the talents of artists, musicians, dancers and other entertainers with disabilities. CLICK FOR LARGE |
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Artists enabled by willpower and community
Guywood Dela Cruz, a 36-year-old self-taught musician, played a Native American flute and a ukulele at the third annual Art Enabled Festival at Kakaako Waterfront Park.
An Ewa Beach resident, Dela Cruz lost his vision during a tumor operation when he was 8. He said he hoped to encourage people who may think a disability ends their world.
"It's just a new world begins," he said. "You've got to find your talent."
The festival, which celebrates the talents of people with disabilities and the Americans with Disabilities Act anniversary, had more than a dozen performers and several booths of artists with disabilities selling their work yesterday.
University of Hawaii students and community volunteers organized the event, which was co-sponsored by the UH Center on Disability Studies.
"This is one of the premiere events of the whole year (for disabled people), bringing together people of diverse parts of the community," said Mark Romoser, a program analyst for Hawaii Centers for Independent Living and a stand-up comedian at the festival.
CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARBULLETIN.COMIsaac Lau wove textile at the Art Enabled Festival yesterday. Lau has been weaving for two years since he discovered it in a class at Kaiser High School. His talents also include fluency in several languages. Lau and his sister, Tammy, both have the genetic disorder Ataxia, which affects motor coordination. At age 25, he has outlived his expected life span by 11 years. CLICK FOR LARGE |
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Romoser, who has autism, said, "There are good musicians, good visual artists. Now if they'd only get a good stand-up comedian, they'd be good. Instead they're stuck with me."
In 2003, four UH students founded the event as graduate project. There was no event in 2004, but it was continued in 2005, becoming an annual event, said Steven Brown, UH assistant professor of disabilities studies.
"It's gotten bigger every year," said Brown, who is also the faculty advisor of the event. He added that the event is a "tool for integration" for people with disabilities.
For Dela Cruz, the number of performers at the festival shows there is a need for more recognition for people with disabilities.
"It's better having more exposure than not having any," said Dela Cruz, who is also a self-employed massage therapist.
Alongside Dela Cruz's booth of Native American jewelry, other artists displayed watercolor paintings, artworks, and photographs.
Isaac Lau, 25, worked a weaving loom and displayed his woven tapestries and bags.
Affected with ataxia, which affects his speech and ability to walk, Lau said he gives motivational speeches to students at Honolulu Community College.
"I've learned if you have a strong enough desire, to just do it. No matter what anybody says," he said. He enjoyed the festival, meeting other people to support and share stories, he said. "All these people are coming out, no matter what disability they have," he said. "It makes people know they're not alone and there is help."