Festival Imagine Online
A celebration of autistic creativity, diversity, talent and spirit in the Laurentians - Ended -
16 July - 16 August 2022
Hosted on: www.AteliersMüz.com
Presented by Autism & Arts in the Laurentians (AAL) 
AAL is a community based non-profit organization which provides free art and socio-recreational activities to autistic and neurodiverse young adults.
Festival Imagine Online showcases six established and emerging autistic artists and recognizes the beautiful and unique artwork created by neurodivergent students from many special needs communities throughout Montréal and surrounding regions.
AAL Fundraiser Art Sale
Beautify your space or delight someone special with a magnificent artwork and support Autism & Arts in the Laurentians!Festival Imagine Online is an extension of the in-person art exhibition, Festival Imagine, which was held on July 9 & 10, 2022 at Dunany Country Club. This in-person event featured artist kiosks, interactive activities, raffle and silent auction of artwork by renowned Laurentians artists. An on-line auction benefitting AAL was also held featuring artwork donated by well-known Laurentian artists Lise Tanguay Chowdhury, Karen Savage et al.
The vision for Festival Imagine is to bring neurotypical & neurodivergent communities together and celebrate the rich inner world & creativity of autistic artists. In collaboration with its members, artists, partners, and sponsors, AAL's mission is to showcase the creativity, passion, and talent of artists with autism and other special needs through an inclusive and supportive artistic experience for autistic & neurodiverse creators and festival goers and to provide an opportunity for all communities to explore common interests in the arts.
Featured Artists
AAL has brought together a group of 6 established and emerging autistic and neurodiverse artists from Montreal and surrounding regions. These featured artists who reflect the broad creative and cultural diversity of the autistic community in Canada are:
Casey Vormer (Remrov)
Pencil Artist (Photorealistic) & Published Author (Connecting with the Autism Spectrum)
Zach Reiman (Zach Designs)
Illustrator and 3D Artist (Imaginative)
Lena Baldoni (Sourie Animé)
Painter and Illustrator (Imaginative)
Benjamin Lachapelle (Ben Animalia)
Painter, Sculptor (Realistic & Imaginative) & Published Author/Illustrator
Ryan Botelho
Illustrator (Realism) & Intersection Art Contest winner
Jonathan Pepin
Illustrator (Imaginative) & Intersection Art Contest Winner
Participating Schools
Festival Imagine Online also showcases 90 artwork by neurodivergent students from many special needs communities including:
- Summit School
- Carlyle Elementary School (EMSB)
- Dunrae Gardens Elementary School (EMSB)
- Galileo Adult Education Centre (EMSB)
- John Grant High School IEMSB)
- L.I.N.K.S. High School (EMSB)
- Westmount Park Elementary School (EMSB)
- WINGS Senior Class (EMSB)
- Roslyn School (EMSB)
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AAL wishes to thank its 
partners and community supporters
Partners:
Community Supporters:
Gore Express
Hotel Laurentien - Lachute
Chaussures Monik - Lachute
Dunany Studio Artists
Sourire Anime
Remrov’s Artwork
Zach’s Designs
Michael Rivard
Susan McDonald
Jenny Lewis
Marla Yanofsky
Lori Leonard
Donor Artists (Silent and Online Auction)
Raffle Prize Donors
Festival Imagine goals
- To promote & celebrate the work of neurodiverse Anglophone Artists and and to promote inclusive practices in the art market
- To increase Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) awareness & acceptance and to increase the social engagement of this marginalised group within the Laurentians
- To assist in the development of emerging Anglophone artists living with ASD and other special needs and to provide working experience and valuable sales opportunities to neurodiverse youth in the arts
- To celebrate AAL’s 5-year anniversary and fundraise for future programming
