A vibrant spirit of creativity and community filled Willetton Parish Hall on Friday 20 and Saturday 21 June as the parish hosted its first art exhibition featuring the work of artists living with disabilities.
Despite strong winds and heavy rain, more than 60 people gathered for the inspiring event, which highlighted the power of inclusion and friendship through art.
Organised in partnership with Personal Advocacy Service (PAS), a ministry of the Catholic Archdiocese of Perth since 1989, the exhibition was a heartfelt celebration of ability, dignity, and faith.
PAS fosters inclusive communities for people with intellectual disabilities through relationships of faith and friendship, empowering individuals to grow spiritually, socially and personally.
A Night of Gratitude and Values in Action
Opening the event, Ms Margie Tannock, Acting Director of PAS, expressed gratitude to Fr John Daly and the Willetton parish community for their warm support.
“This is an evening to celebrate creativity,” Ms Tannock said.
“The exhibition reflects the very essence of Personal Advocacy Service, whose mission is to serve our families, parishes and the wider community. We are guided by values of solidarity and dignity, empowering participants to embrace their abilities and unique gifts. Tonight’s exhibition brings those values to life.”
The event showcased works by four artists: Petrea Barker, John Verjans, Matthew Clark, and Geoffrey Scott — each a member of the PAS community.
“Our artists have found their voice and vision in communities shaped by friendship and care,” Ms Tannock added.
“Their work tells stories of identity, hope, and resilience. It invites us to see not disability, but ability. At the heart of what we do is the belief that every person can grow, belong, and form lifelong friendships.”
Community and Connection
Ms Beatriz Clark, mother of artist Matthew Clark, said the exhibition was a beautiful way to bring people together.
“Many of the exhibit attendees had never been to Willetton Parish before. It was a wonderful way to welcome our diverse guests,” she shared.
“The artists sold several paintings and chose to donate part of the proceeds back to the church to support PAS’s outstanding work in the local parish.”
The idea for the event came from artist John Verjans, who wanted to exhibit his art alongside friends from PAS.
The exhibition’s resounding success has inspired hope that it may become an annual celebration of talent and community.
“The support of Personal Advocacy contributed enormously to the success of the event,” said the Verjans family.
“John and our family are extremely grateful.”
The Willetton art exhibition was more than an artistic display—it was a profound celebration of human dignity, faith and the transforming power of inclusive community.
About the Artists
John Verjans
John discovered his love of art in his late teens through photography, which led him to recreate scenes on canvas using bold abstract styles.
Guided weekly by his art tutor, Alison, he has won multiple awards over the years.
A member of the Monday Willetton PAS group for 22 years, John displayed 18 pieces—11 of which were sold.’
Matthew Clark
Matthew has been part of PAS for 15 years and enjoys the friendships and social events of the Monday group. He holds a Certificate I in Art from Leederville TAFE and prefers acrylic painting and pencil sketching.
His work draws inspiration from stories, films, and TV, offering a window into his imaginative storytelling.
Petrea Barker
A PAS participant for 11 years, Petrea fondly recalls attending her first art exhibition with fellow artists John and Matthew.
She is a Paralympic medallist, winning bronze in the 1996 Atlanta Games and the 2002 Argentina World Championships. Petrea paints with the Armadale Art Group and values the social activities of PAS, especially movie nights and bowling.
Geoffrey Scott
A newcomer to PAS, Geoffrey is passionate about visual storytelling as a Deaf artist. Inspired by his aunt at age nine, he overcame early challenges in art education to later earn a Fine Arts Diploma and Bachelor of Arts and is now pursuing postgraduate studies.
Geoffrey has represented WA and Australia in swimming at multiple Deaf Games and was awarded Most Inspirational Swimmer at the 2014 Deaf International Championships in the US.