One of the attractions of art is that it can express what words cannot. I was reminded of this during a workshop with students from a special needs school, many of whom struggle with using language. I wondered, “What are they thinking about?” Taking this question into consideration, I asked them to create artworks that float on water. It was important that the adults assisting them didn’t interfere with their freedom to create. I often say things like, “Let’s add more color” or “Let’s make it bigger like the others.” But through this experience, they helped me realize that those suggestions were more about making my job easier than actually supporting the students. They turned what was in their minds into floating works of art. What they created was a beautiful expression of their own freedom.

Workshops were conducted from June to July 2025 for junior high and high school students of AGATUMA Special Needs School.