The Art Camp

Opening Your Heart to Bhutan is fundraising for ‘Colors of Ability-II"’ a project bringing together a 30-day summer art camp and a 14-day public exhibition for children with special needs. Building on last year's event, the camp will take place at Draktsho East Vocational Training Centre in Tashigang, where children will explore painting, drawing, mixed media and handicrafts, with individual mentoring from volunteer artists throughout. The most appealing pieces will then be selected, framed and transported to Thimphu for public display.

The Exhibition

The exhibition, called ‘Colors of Ability-II’, will run for fourteen days in Thimphu, opening with a ceremony for invited guests and partners. Alongside the display itself, there will be community engagement events and media coverage, and where appropriate, artworks will be offered for sale to support future programmes at Draktsho East. The aim goes well beyond simply showing the children's work. It is about shifting public perception from disability towards ability, creativity and potential, and giving these children a genuine platform and voice.

By the end of the project, we expect more than 100 original artworks to have been created, alongside real gains in the children's confidence, technical skill and self-esteem. Just as importantly, it should build greater public appreciation of what children with disabilities can achieve, strengthen partnerships around disability inclusion in Bhutan, and open up further fundraising opportunities to sustain this work in future. Your support will help make this possible for every child taking part.

This month-long mixed ability Art Camp is a central focus for the children and offers them unique companionship and opportunities beyond their daily lives.

Our Story

Opening Your Heart to Bhutan grew from a humble start in rural East Bhutan 10 years ago. Due to the remoteness, children born with additional needs face extreme difficulties. The lack of tarmac roads makes it very hard to access a school where they can learn life and vocational skills.

In 2015, after being inspired by a girl physically struggling with day-to-day life, our founder Emma made a lifelong commitment to helping children with additional needs in any way she could.