Joy Village, a living facility for individuals with severe developmental disabilities located in Paju, South Korea, is collaborating with the Catholic Diocese of Uijeongbu’s social welfare organization, Daegu Caritas, to hold a charity exhibition from the 28th of this month to the 2nd of the next month at the Gyohak Arts Center. Joy Village is unique in South Korea as it provides a ‘one person, one room’ living environment for its residents, established in 2019 by concerned parents seeking a stable living arrangement for their adult disabled children, with the assistance of the Catholic Church.

The exhibition will feature works by local artists including Dohyun Woo, a priest from Gyohak Church in Paju, as well as developmental disability artists such as Kim Beom-jin, Jeong Do-woon, and Han Seung-ki. Additionally, artworks created by children from local child centers near Joy Village will also be presented. This initiative aims not only to gather funds but also to foster a deeper community connection and awareness regarding disabilities, as highlighted by Joy Village director Kim Mi-kyung's vision of creating a village where people can communicate naturally, regardless of disabilities.

The exhibition symbolizes a significant step forward in integrating people with disabilities into the community in a more inclusive manner. Kim Mi-kyung hopes this event will serve as a catalyst for pursuing greater acceptance and understanding between people with disabilities and the non-disabled community, emphasizing the importance of interaction and shared experiences in building a cohesive society.