A powerful new community arts initiative, Art for Autism, will launch this April 2026 to coincide with World Autism Month.
Led by Floreat portrait artist Jenny Davies, the year-long project will see the creation of 50 portrait studies over 50 weeks. Each work will capture a member of the Curtin community, including people who are Autistic or neurodiverse, parents or carers, and individuals whose work contributes positively to community wellbeing.
Through these portraits, Jenny aims to reveal the human stories behind each subject—celebrating resilience, diversity and the shared experiences that shape the Curtin community. The project aims to bring the Curtin community together through creativity, storytelling and connection.
"This project is about more than painting portraits. It’s about recognising people, sharing stories, and creating a sense of belonging and hope.”
- Jenny Davies
Photo of Jenny Davies
Community members are invited to nominate individuals to be featured in the project. Across the year, selected stories will be shared through local media and social platforms, fostering greater understanding of neurodiversity and strengthening community connections. The artworks however will not be revealed until April 2027 when they will be unveiled in a major exhibition and opening event at the Autism Association of Western Australia. All 50 portraits will be displayed alongside the stories of those featured, before being offered for sale, with all proceeds donated to the organisation.
Jenny, a finalist in the Lester Portrait Prize, brings a longstanding passion for portraiture to the project. She trained at Claremont School of Art in Perth and Mitchell School of Art in New South Wales and has further developed her practice under prominent Australian artists. Her work is known for capturing the essence of her subjects through both realist and impressionist styles.
“There is a real joy in bringing someone to life through the vibrancy of oils and the immediacy of graphite. You can nominate yourself or someone in your family or community—I’m looking forward to hearing all the stories.”
- Jenny Davies
Conceived in response to a growing need for connection and optimism, Art for Autism aims to:
• Celebrate and acknowledge neurodiversity within the community
• Strengthen local connections
• Support individuals with autism and their carers
• Inspire inclusion, understanding and hope for the future
Community members are encouraged to get involved by submitting nominations and following the project’s progress throughout the year.
The project has been generously supported by Kate Chaney (Federal MP for Curtin), the Autism Association of WA and Jacksons.
Nominations can be made here:
