Organized by the Eden Foundation’s Taoyuan Branch Office and in collaboration with its under four units—the Taoyuan City’s Second District Early Intervention Development Center, the Dayuan District Chia-Le Community Workshop, the Joy Day Care Center, and the Sunbathing Clubhouse—the joint exhibition “Light Rises from the Heart” showcases over 100 creative works produced by early intervention families and persons with disabilities over the past three years. Held under the steering of the Department of Women and Children Development, Taoyuan and with the assistance of the New Main Library of Taoyuan Public Library, the exhibition is open to the public free of charge at the Art Gallery on the second floor of the New Main Library of Taoyuan Public Library from now until June 29. The public is invited to witness, through these works, the journey of life gradually shining through companionship.
 

Eden held a sharing session for the joint exhibition at the New Main Library of Taoyuan Public Library on May 21, Ms. Tzu-Jung Tu, Director of the Department of Women and Children Development, Taoyuan; Mr. Chao-Hui Shih, Director of the New Main Library of Taoyuan Public Library; Ms. Yi-Li Chiu, Subdivision Chief of the Disability Affairs Section at Department of the Social Welfare, Taoyuan; as well as Mr. Tine-Yuang Ho, CEO of Eden Foundation and Eden Charity Ambassador Heaven Hai (Hai Fen) were all present to view the exhibition and show their support. They interacted with the artists and together experienced the life stories and warm strength conveyed through the works.
 

The exhibition featured a diverse range of art forms, including paintings, photography, digital art, knitted crafts, and poetry. Among them, the stress-relief program for caregivers at the Second District Early Intervention Development Center assists parents rediscover the strength to face life anew through art. The exhibition also features pastel works co-created by social workers and caregivers; the soft colors and lines represent the stress and emotions released by the parents, while also showcasing the tenderness and determination they demonstrate on their caregiving journey.

Chun-Chun, Five-year-old, has been receiving Eden’s early intervention services for four years. He has progressed from having limited verbal expression to being able to converse with others and is gradually integrating into group activities. Chun-Chun’s mother, who has mild hearing impairment, used to worry that she would be unable to care for her child properly. After accessing early intervention resources, she gradually improved her caregiving abilities through professional guidance and parenting support. His mother has also evolved from someone prone to self-blame and emotional repression to someone willing to proactively seek resources for her child. She even told a social worker with a smile, “I feel like I have become braver.” In addition, Chun-Chun’s mother has participated in parent stress-relief activities for three consecutive years, learning to manage her emotions through pastel painting. She shared that when she feels down, she uses painting to ground herself and gradually let go of her stress through the creative process. She is delighted to be participating in this exhibition and hopes to encourage more families involved in early intervention to believe that, through early detection and therapy, slow-flying angels can also soar toward a hopeful tomorrow with the warmth and nurturing they receive.
 

At the Sunbathing Clubhouse, 19-year-old member Herta (pseudonym) has also gradually regained his sense of rhythm in life through community-based services. In the past, his inability to adapt to the new environment and pressures of university led to a worsening of his schizophrenia, resulting in hospitalization; he later withdrew from school and returned home to recuperate. After joining the clubhouse, Herta built his self-confidence through cooking activities. He discovered that the clubhouse is free from the pressures of schoolwork and exams—it is a place where he can learn with peace of mind and grow at his own pace. He is now a member of the Catering Unit, and his specialty is curry. Thanks to the recognition he received from everyone, he has begun to believe in himself—that he “can make it.”
 

For this exhibition, Eden’s Charity Ambassador Heaven Hai made a special trip to view the works and interact with the artists, and she gave the mothers of “Slow-Flying Angels” a big hug. She shared that while many of the works may not feature elaborate techniques, they convey sincere emotion and strength. After listening to the artists’ stories, she felt even more empathy for the resilience they have shown in facing their challenges. She invited the public to visit the exhibition, saying, “Slow down and take a look at these works. You might discover that to truly understand a person, sometimes all it takes is a moment to linger—and you will see the power of life blossoming through color.”
 

Ms. Tzu-Jung Tu, Director of the Department of Women and Children Development, Taoyuan, stated that early intervention is not merely about children receiving courses and training; more importantly, it involves accompanying families through their care journey. Many parents often experience anxiety and stress when faced with their child’s developmental delays. Therefore, the city government continues to collaborate with civil society organizations to promote early intervention services, hoping that through involve with the professional team, parenting support, and family accompaniment, parents can receive the support they need and children can make the most of the critical period for early intervention services. This exhibition not only showcases the creative outcomes but also allows everyone to witness the efforts and transformations of early intervention families along their journey, We hope that through these works, the general public will gain a deeper understanding of the importance of early intervention and offer these families greater understanding and support.

Mr. Tine-Yuang Ho, CEO of Eden Foundation, indicated that art is not merely about creation; it is also a process of understanding and companionship. Many early intervention families as well as persons with disabilities, endure long-term pressures and challenges that too profound to share with the outside world. We hope this exhibition will allow more people to see the stories behind these works. Eden also extends our gratitude to the Taoyuan City Government and the New Main Library of Taoyuan Public Library for their support during the preparation process, as well as to the staff for their dedication. We sincerely invite the public to visit the exhibition, to see one another through art, and to feel the courageous and warmth accumulated through life’s experiences, thereby bringing understanding and inclusion into our daily lives. For details, please refer to the Event Information (opens in a new window) on Eden’s Official Website.