Honorable Mention Ailson Carvalho

Flying Free © Ailson Carvalho Boston, Massachusetts Honorable Mention $1,000 Age 22

Flying Free, acrylic on wood and glass (26" x 26") Ailson has been raised within a cultural tradition which sees a much bigger need to protect people with disabilities than to empower them. Now, in America and through his art, Ailson is flying free! Ailson Carvalho began exploring his creativity through Art Enables, a program in Washington D.C. committed to young people with developmental disabilities. He is a Brazilian who moved to Silver Spring, Maryland, in February of 2001. Ailson, who has Down's syndrome, is the middle child of three. His primary activity the first year and a half in America was watching television and playing on a play station. Then, art entered his life. A friend of the family and vocational rehabilitation professional encouraged Ailson to join the Art Enables studio where he explored a variety of techniques and learned free expression. Ailson recently moved to Boston, Massachusetts with his family.