People of Determination, professional artists come together for special event

A transformative autism awareness event, accompanied by a group art exhibition, took place at Etisalat Academy, Dubai, on April 20. The event, hosted by MyMaximus, celebrated neurodiversity. MyMaximus is a vocational training centre that caters to job placement and occupational support for People of Determination; the art was curated by Tumpa Banerjee. The occasion united over 300 attendees in a commemoration of neurodiversity, empowerment, and inclusive community building. The CPD-accredited event was a powerful tribute to individuals on the autism spectrum and showcased the talents, insights, and resilience of People of Determination through art and creativity.

- Muhammad Yusuf

The artworks that took centre stage with a gallery-style exhibition featured the works of the following professional artists: Tumpa Banerjee, Sudeshna Mukherjee, Vinu Aravind, Shanelle Menezes, Afshan Nawaz Khan, Ranjisha Raghavan, Kadambini Choubey, Sabah Anees, Maryna Futymska, Reshma Parikh, Jagruti Sanjay, Sibel Yavuz, Kiran Lobo, Komal Jhala, Mridu Srivastava, Jyoti Singla, Trupbti Rele, Medha Nerurkar, Mussarat Yasmin Abid and Saima Furqan. Their artworks were displayed alongside original art pieces created by MyMaximus students curated by their art therapy instructor, art therapist Ingrid Opt'hoff. The vibrant display of paintings, sculptures and mixed media, served as a testament to the rich inner worlds of individuals on the spectrum — offering perspectives that words perhaps cannot convey.

Guests were also able to support MyMaximus students by purchasing handcrafted items such as mugs, T-shirts, keychains, and scented candles, all produced as part of the academy's vocational training programme. The products were more than mere commercial items: they were symbols of merit, craftsmanship, and work pride. Adding extra interactive flair to the event was a caricature artist and a fashion designer, whose live demonstrations delighted guests of all ages.