Sharpening Creativity of Special Needs Students Through Betawi-themed Craft Arts

Every hand has its own way of telling a story. For students of special needs schools (SLB), wood, paper, and fabric serve as media to pour out creativity while simultaneously learning about the richness of Betawi culture.

A total of 50 students from five public and private special needs schools in Central Jakarta participated in craft art training at the Muhammad Mashabi Cultural Arts Training Centre (PPSB) in Tanah Abang, Jakarta. The 10-day training programme invited students to learn how to create various craft artworks themed around Betawi culture through hands-on practice.

Throughout the creative process, students received guidance from instructors tailored to their individual abilities. They did not only learn to process materials into artworks but were also given the space to explore ideas and express themselves through art.

The works produced by the participants will later be curated for exhibition in the Disability Week events at both the administrative city and provincial levels. This activity serves as an inclusive space for special needs students to demonstrate that creativity can flourish when they are provided with opportunity, guidance, and a platform to create.