The Gem of Autism

Over the summer, students at St Andrew’s School created The Gem of Autism — a shed transformed into a sacred space filled with their artworks. It travelled to Latitude Festival, where visitors stepped inside to experience their stories.

The work grew from simple ideas about storytelling and objects of comfort, evolving into deeply personal ceramic figures, each carrying meaning. Some stories were shared in writing, giving festival goers a powerful insight into the students’ worlds. The response was extraordinary, with people queuing to enter and connecting on a very emotional level.

It has been one of the most moving projects I’ve ever facilitated. Huge thanks to Hattie Spice for her vision, and to the Zen Project for their support in the Mind, Body and Zen area at Latitude.