Symposium Ambassador
At each International Symposium on Autism, Geneva Centre for Autism provides a poster featuring an individual with autism who has demonstrated an outstanding creative talent of his or her own as our Symposium Ambassador. Previous Geneva Centre for Autism “Ambassadors” have included remarkable painters, sculptures, cartoonists and even dancers.
Each Symposium year the Centre holds a competition for the Symposium Ambassador. A collection of samples of the creative talent and pictures of the individual are submitted by individuals with ASD, parents, and teachers.
A local portrait artist volunteers his or her time and talent to paint a beautiful portrait of the individual incorporating the individual's specific talent into the background of the portrait. Sponsors provide the printing and the portrait is reproduced into a beautiful poster for Geneva Centre for Autism Symposium. The Symposium Ambassador and the artists are always pleased to attend the Symposium and sign personalized copies of the poster for our delegates.
Family members of the Symposium Ambassadors have told us of the positive impact the poster had on the individual's self esteem and the respect that it has generated for his or her talent amongst their peers and in the community. In some cases the poster has helped launch a career as an artist for the individual.
If you know someone with ASD with a talent worthy of recognition and would like to have them considered for the Symposium Ambassador Competition please send samples of the individual's work and 2 or 3 pictures of the individual to:
Geneva Centre for Autism
Attention: Ginny Kontosic
112 Merton Street
Toronto, ON M4S 2Z8
