“Ailson’s journey brought him from Sao Paulo, Brazil to New York, and to the discovery of his talent in Washington, D.C. He now lives in Everett, Massachusetts, but commutes to D.C. one week every month to our studio where he pursues his life as an artist. While his family was apprehensive about the move to the United States that so changed their lives, Ailson loved everything about it Ð and hasn’t looked back.”

~Joyce A. Muis-Lowery, teacher/mentor, Art Enables

Ailson Carvalho moved with his family from his native Brazil in 2001. Ailson, who has Down syndrome, is the middle child of three. During his first year and a half in America, Ailson had little to do but watch television and play video games. A friend of the family, a vocational rehabilitation professional, was concerned about his isolation and encouraged Ailson to join Art Enables, an arts-entrepreneurial program in Washington, D.C. serving persons with developmental disabilities. Then, art entered his life. It turns out to have been the beginnings of a real journey of discovery for both Ailson and his family. Ailson’s first attempts at art were slow and cautious. A year later, he is comfortable with the materials, confident of his talent, and proud that his relatives and friends in Brazil can look him up on the Art Enables’ Web site. Ailson has found a way to express his own personal and engaging vision. His family has also learned to factor into their plans the fact that, as his father puts it, "I have my life and my wife has her life. Ailson needs a life too."

The Road Taken, watercolor and ink (32" x 20")