MORE than 30 original works of art by young people with learning disabilities have gone on display in Kent.

The work on display at the Herbert Read Gallery at the University College for the Creative Arts in Canterbury, includes watercolours, acrylics, textiles, sculptures, pottery and stoneware.

All the pieces were crafted by the mainly young people from Kent and the South East who use the services of The Regard Partnership, one of the biggest care home providers for people with learning disabilities in the county.

The exhibition is called Pathways to Progress and much of it was painstakingly created over a long period of time by individuals with a variety of learning disabilities including autism, acquired brain injury or Down’s Syndrome.

The Regard Partnership managing director John Webster said: “For many of these people, artistic work is a key form of communication and this is probably, for many, the first opportunity they have had to see it presented in an uncluttered professional manner.

“To suddenly see it showcased – for them it is inspiring.”

He added: “These works of art don’t get produced in half and hour but for some them they involve weeks and weeks of attention. Opportunities that we take for granted get overlooked.”

The exhibition runs until Thursday.