A teenage artist from East Aurora is showcasing her talents at the Museum of disABILITY History on Main Street in Amherst. WBFO's Eileen Buckley tells us the artwork is part of an exhibit 'In Celebration of Down Syndrome'.
“What are you thinking Bailey?” asked Pam Bennett. She’s Bailey Bastine's mother.
Bastine has Down syndrome. Her mom tried to convince her daughter to talk to us for an interview, but Bastine remained quiet.
"Bailey talks to me – only me at this time in her life,” explained Bennett.
Bastine turns 18-next month. The teen is very artistic. She considers herself a businesswoman of Bluebed Productions. She sat with both an iPad and iPhone on her lap.
Bastine is a painter, photographer, and poet. She's even had two photographer books published and her mom says another one is in the works.
Bennett explained that her daughter's artwork "Unspoken Voice" is on display through the end of this year at the Museum of disABILITY.
“And what we’re trying to do is to help all the people who don’t have a voice to bring up their voices and for someone to listen because that’s the only way anything can happen, so she’s trying to speak her voice” replied Bennett.
Bastine will also be participating in Unity Day on October 19th at the East Aurora Library. It is part of a stop bullying campaign across the nation.
Bastine is listed as a keynote speaker, using her artwork and her talents to communicate her voice as a self-advocate for standing up for those with disabilities.
