Patrick Francis - Community Awards
Star siblings from Keilor East are semi-finalists in the Victorian Young Achiever Awards
- ALESHA CAPONE - BRIMBANK LEADER - MARCH 14, 2015 12:00AM
A BROTHER and sister who founded a not-for-profit organisation called Absolutely Awetistic Arts have been selected as semi-finalists for the Victorian Young Achiever Awards.
Patrick and Lesley Francis, aged 23 and 24 respectively, formed the Keilor East organisation six years ago to promote disability awareness and talent in the arts.
The siblings’ dedication has earned them several awards, including a win in the arts section at last year’s Victorian Young Achiever Awards. This year the pair were selected as semi-finalists in the awards’ community leadership category.
Patrick Francis, 23 with some of his art. Picture: Kris Reichl
Mr Francis, an acclaimed artist, has autism and limited speech. His sister, an author and poet, also curates her brothers’ shows and exhibitions for Absolutely Awetistic Arts.
Last year Absolutely Awetistic Arts partnered with Special Olympics Australia, the Phoenix Youth Centre and Maribyrnong Council for two exhibitions.
Shown at Splash Gallery in Footscray, one show promoted positive awareness of autism, the other, Achieve Your Dream, highlighted intellectual disability.
They have also collaborated to write and illustrate books, which they sell to raise funds for research and disability awareness.
Mr Francis volunteers three days a week Absolutely Awetistic Arts, other weekdays at Arts Project Australia and the Footscray Community Arts Centre.
Details: absolutely-awetistic-arts.webs.com
Patrick and Lesley Francis, aged 23 and 24 respectively, formed the Keilor East organisation six years ago to promote disability awareness and talent in the arts.
The siblings’ dedication has earned them several awards, including a win in the arts section at last year’s Victorian Young Achiever Awards. This year the pair were selected as semi-finalists in the awards’ community leadership category.
Patrick Francis, 23 with some of his art. Picture: Kris Reichl
Mr Francis, an acclaimed artist, has autism and limited speech. His sister, an author and poet, also curates her brothers’ shows and exhibitions for Absolutely Awetistic Arts.
Last year Absolutely Awetistic Arts partnered with Special Olympics Australia, the Phoenix Youth Centre and Maribyrnong Council for two exhibitions.
Shown at Splash Gallery in Footscray, one show promoted positive awareness of autism, the other, Achieve Your Dream, highlighted intellectual disability.
They have also collaborated to write and illustrate books, which they sell to raise funds for research and disability awareness.
Mr Francis volunteers three days a week Absolutely Awetistic Arts, other weekdays at Arts Project Australia and the Footscray Community Arts Centre.
Details: absolutely-awetistic-arts.webs.com
Victorian Young Achiever Awards
http://www.awardsaustralia.com/young-achiever-awards/vic/previous-winners/
The 2014 winners of the Victorian Young Achiever Awards - The Coffee Club Arts Award 2014:
Lesley & Patrick Francis, 24 and 22 of KEILOR EAST collaborate as “Absolutely Awetistic Arts”. Patrick is a special needs artist and prolific painter using acrylic on paper as his chosen medium. He has won numerous arts awards, exhibited at the National Gallery of Victoria and has been included in every Arts Project Gala Exhibition since 2009. Patrick was showcased as a prominent “Melbourne Now” artist and is exhibiting at Safari 2014 and the Melbourne Art Fair. Lesley is an exceptional author, curator, arts writer and dynamic young entrepreneur who assists her brother. “Absolutely Awetistic Arts” have produced several books with Lesley as author and Patrick the artist, which are sold online. Profits are used for global awareness and research of autism and intellectual disability.
http://www.awardsaustralia.com/young-achiever-awards/vic/previous-winners/
The 2014 winners of the Victorian Young Achiever Awards - The Coffee Club Arts Award 2014:
Lesley & Patrick Francis, 24 and 22 of KEILOR EAST collaborate as “Absolutely Awetistic Arts”. Patrick is a special needs artist and prolific painter using acrylic on paper as his chosen medium. He has won numerous arts awards, exhibited at the National Gallery of Victoria and has been included in every Arts Project Gala Exhibition since 2009. Patrick was showcased as a prominent “Melbourne Now” artist and is exhibiting at Safari 2014 and the Melbourne Art Fair. Lesley is an exceptional author, curator, arts writer and dynamic young entrepreneur who assists her brother. “Absolutely Awetistic Arts” have produced several books with Lesley as author and Patrick the artist, which are sold online. Profits are used for global awareness and research of autism and intellectual disability.
Patrick & Lesley Francis - winners of the VYAA - Coffee Club Arts Award 2014
Patrick & Lesley Francis - semi-finalists in the VYAA 2015
Applauding Victoria’s Young Achievers
Friday 01 May 2015
Minister for Youth Affairs, Jenny Mikakos, congratulated Victoria’s budding leaders across industry, the community sector and business on their creativity and innovation at the 2015 Victorian Young Achiever Awards in Melbourne tonight.
As patron of the Awards, Ms Mikakos joined young people and members of the Melbourne business community in acknowledging and celebrating the achievements of Victorians aged under 28.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Youth Affairs, Jenny Mikakos
http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/applauding-victorias-young-achievers
“I’m delighted to be the patron of these prestigious awards and look forward to following the future progress of the winners.”
“All of the winners and finalists here tonight at the Young Achiever Awards have made a difference in their fields, and they all have bright futures ahead of them.”
“Young people are making their mark on the world. It’s been a difficult time selecting winners from such an outstanding group of finalists.”
Patrick & Lesley Francis - semi-finalists in the VYAA 2015
Applauding Victoria’s Young Achievers
Friday 01 May 2015
Minister for Youth Affairs, Jenny Mikakos, congratulated Victoria’s budding leaders across industry, the community sector and business on their creativity and innovation at the 2015 Victorian Young Achiever Awards in Melbourne tonight.
As patron of the Awards, Ms Mikakos joined young people and members of the Melbourne business community in acknowledging and celebrating the achievements of Victorians aged under 28.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Youth Affairs, Jenny Mikakos
http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/applauding-victorias-young-achievers
“I’m delighted to be the patron of these prestigious awards and look forward to following the future progress of the winners.”
“All of the winners and finalists here tonight at the Young Achiever Awards have made a difference in their fields, and they all have bright futures ahead of them.”
“Young people are making their mark on the world. It’s been a difficult time selecting winners from such an outstanding group of finalists.”
Young finalists are 'nothing short of inspirational'
https://www.humanrights.gov.au/news/stories/young-finalists-are-nothing-short-inspirational
Human Rights Commission - Wed 20 November 2013
Five talented and inspirational young Australians are shortlisted for the 2013 Young Person’s Human Rights Medal, the Australian Human Rights Commission announced today.
The five finalists are all under 25 years old. Between them, they’ve found ways to connect volunteer tutors to rural and Indigenous students in Western Australia; promote performing arts for individuals with special needs; and share personal stories that encourage others to speak out against human rights abuses.
“The generosity of the five finalists for this year’s Young Person’s Human Rights Medal is nothing short of inspirational,” said Australian Human Rights Commission President, Professor Gillian Triggs. “I am profoundly impressed by the willingness of these young people to speak out about human rights and to take practical steps to reduce disadvantage and to challenge discrimination,” Professor Triggs said.
The finalists for the 2013 Young Person’s Human Rights Medal are:
Patrick Francis and Lesley Francis: Patrick, 21, and Lesley, 23, are an inspiring brother and sister team who promote awareness of autism, intellectual disability and cultural and linguistic diversity through their art exhibitions, books and poems. Together they are advocates for Absolutely Awetistic Arts, a non-profit organisation specialising in visual and performing arts for individuals with special needs.
Patrick and Lesley hope to not only provide people with disabilities from multicultural backgrounds the opportunity for artistic expression, but also to contribute to the development of a community which encourages social inclusion, multiculturalism, acceptance, respect and recognition for individuals with a disability.
https://www.humanrights.gov.au/news/stories/young-finalists-are-nothing-short-inspirational
Human Rights Commission - Wed 20 November 2013
Five talented and inspirational young Australians are shortlisted for the 2013 Young Person’s Human Rights Medal, the Australian Human Rights Commission announced today.
The five finalists are all under 25 years old. Between them, they’ve found ways to connect volunteer tutors to rural and Indigenous students in Western Australia; promote performing arts for individuals with special needs; and share personal stories that encourage others to speak out against human rights abuses.
“The generosity of the five finalists for this year’s Young Person’s Human Rights Medal is nothing short of inspirational,” said Australian Human Rights Commission President, Professor Gillian Triggs. “I am profoundly impressed by the willingness of these young people to speak out about human rights and to take practical steps to reduce disadvantage and to challenge discrimination,” Professor Triggs said.
The finalists for the 2013 Young Person’s Human Rights Medal are:
Patrick Francis and Lesley Francis: Patrick, 21, and Lesley, 23, are an inspiring brother and sister team who promote awareness of autism, intellectual disability and cultural and linguistic diversity through their art exhibitions, books and poems. Together they are advocates for Absolutely Awetistic Arts, a non-profit organisation specialising in visual and performing arts for individuals with special needs.
Patrick and Lesley hope to not only provide people with disabilities from multicultural backgrounds the opportunity for artistic expression, but also to contribute to the development of a community which encourages social inclusion, multiculturalism, acceptance, respect and recognition for individuals with a disability.