« Rita is a young woman with Down syndrome who lives in Toronto. Throughout the COVID pandemic, Rita has developed new skills in art through participating in online art classes with her day program, Dani-Toronto and also with a specialized art program offered by L’Arche-London (Ontario). It is through L’Arche that Rita discovered watercolours, which have become her main artistic medium.

Toronto-based Second Story Press recently published a children’s book titled « My Art, My World. » Rita co-authored the book with Helen Winkler (Rita’s mom and art facilitator) and Mark Winkler (Rita’s uncle based in New York). It tells the story of Rita’s daily life through her art and photos to encourage inclusion.

Now, Rita and her family would like to share Rita’s art through her newly launched website ritawinkler.art. Besides giving the viewer a glimpse into Rita’s world, the site showcases over 300 pieces of Rita’s artwork. It shares adaptive art techniques, highlights other artists with disabilities, and provides information about the book “My Art, My World.” – Helen Winkler

For more information, please visit the links below:

https://www.ritawinkler.art/
https://secondstorypress.ca/kids/myartmyworld
https://larchelondon.ca/
https://dani-toronto.com/

-from Helen Winkler