The works of thirty artists from the Gaude association of Leioa are being exhibited at the Artea shopping center until May 30. The exhibition, titled "Creating is Including," showcases 45 figurative paintings developed in the entity's plastic expression workshop. This association has been providing support to people with intellectual disabilities in Bizkaia for 45 years.

The workshop is led by artist and educator Ana Armentia, who has been with the association for over three decades. For her, the primary goal extends beyond technique, focusing instead on the well-being of the participants. Her method involves adapting to each student's abilities and character to foster the development of their talent and creativity.

The workshop attracts a wide range of individuals, from those who have never painted before and even struggle with writing, to students who already possessed an artistic flair and wished to develop it further. Ana Armentia emphasizes the immense variety and, in fact, still retains three students from the very first class she taught over three decades ago.

For the artists, seeing their works displayed to the public is an "enormous incentive," according to the workshop director. The exhibition allows them to confirm that "they are capable of creating beautiful and aesthetic things." In this regard, the space provided by the Artea shopping center serves as a "gigantic window" to showcase the work they produce throughout the year.

Among the thirty exhibiting artists, two students stand out for their long trajectory in the workshop. One of them draws inspiration from Botero, and their technique involves tracing the drawing before painting it with a brush and watercolors. The other, a great enthusiast of Japanese anime, translates this passion onto their canvases, also using tracing and watercolor techniques. When asked about the sale of one of their works, they expressed satisfaction. All 45 works in the exhibition are available for sale to all visitors who wish to support the talent of these artists.