Join award-winning artist Sue Clayton to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) at Pocklington Arts Centre (PAC) on Saturday 21 March, 11am-1pm, as her exhibition Downright Marvellous at Large draws to a spectacular close.
The exhibition, which features portraits of adults with Down Syndrome and a giant pair of hand-knitted socks, will provide the backdrop for the event, which will include children’s craft activities, music, cake, and a pop-up exhibition entitled This is Me.
The pop-up exhibition, which will run in the studio during the final week of Downright Marvellous at Large, will feature self-portraits created by members of Wold Haven Day Centre, Pocklington and Applefields Special School, York at workshops led by Sue.
Sue, who put the exhibition together in honour of her son James who has Down Syndrome and turns 18 this year, said: “Downright Marvellous at Large is a true celebration of adults with Downs at work and play, and I hope it has made a real impression on visitors. I can’t wait to bring what has been a really busy, successful exhibition to a suitable close in spectacular style, with a celebration to mark World Down Syndrome Day. Everyone is invited to come along, enjoy some children’s crafts, a pop-up exhibition, and enjoy a free piece of cake as well as a few surprises along the way!”
Alongside the portraits, which feature what Sue views as the “unrepresented and significant” social presence of adults with Down Syndrome, the exhibition includes a giant pair of odd socks created using hand-knitted squares donated by members of the public.
Many people wear odd socks on WDSD, a global day that aims to raise awareness and promote independence, self-advocacy and freedom of choice for people with the congenital condition.
Socks are used because their shape replicates that of the extra 21st chromosome that people with Down Syndrome have.
Sue is a self-taught, full-time artist and has been recognised by Britain’s Got Artists (2012), and most recently, as Outstanding Visual Artist in the York Culture Awards, for her much-admired York Heroes (2017-2018) project.