People & achievements · England
Artists, designers and models
Your browser or device provides the reading voice.
Discover art, clothes and modelling by people with learning disabilities.
Your own interests and achievements matter too.
Different kinds of art
People create pictures, sculptures and clothes.
A sculpture is a work of art you can see from different sides.
Nnena Kalu
Nnena makes sculptures and drawings.
She works in London.
Nnena won the Turner Prize in 2025.
This is a well-known art prize.
People can express themselves without using speech.
There are many ways to communicate.
Judith Scott
Judith was an artist in the United States.
She wrapped objects in yarn to make sculptures.
Judith died in 2005.
You can still see her work in museums and online.
Isabella Springmühl
Isabella is a clothes designer from Guatemala.
She uses colourful Guatemalan fabrics.
Her fashion business is called Down to Xjabelle.
She showed her designs at London Fashion Week in 2016.
Ellie Goldstein
Ellie is a model.
She has worked with Gucci Beauty.
She has appeared on the cover of British Vogue.
Try something you enjoy
You could draw, paint or design clothes.
You could visit an art gallery.
Ask about tools or support that would help you.
Your own ideas matter.
What you can do next
The linked studios are in London.
Ask about places, costs and the support you need.
Find out about ActionSpace art studios Web pageThis link opens another website.
It may use harder words.
More useful links
- Nnena Kalu: drawings and sculptures Web page
ActionSpace’s artist profile and pictures of her work.
- Nnena Kalu: the 2025 Turner Prize Web page
ActionSpace’s announcement of the award, 10 December 2025.
- Tara Halvai: making art Web page
Tara’s Mencap profile describes her art, learning disability and communication.
- Judith Scott: her life and art Web page
Creative Growth’s account of the American artist, who had Down syndrome and was Deaf.
- Judith Scott: a sculpture at MoMA Web page
The museum’s artist record includes her life dates and a work to view online.
- Isabella Springmühl: designing clothes Web page
WIPO interview with the Guatemalan designer about her textiles and business.
- Ellie Goldstein: modelling and fashion Web page
Mencap profile with Ellie’s own views, interviews and links to her work.
- Ellie Goldstein: her professional profile Web page
Zebedee Talent describes her modelling, including Gucci Beauty and British Vogue.
- ActionSpace: ask about joining an art studio Web page
Studio opportunities for adults with learning disabilities in London. Ask about places, costs and support.
These links open other websites.
They may use harder words.
Artists, designers and models
Discover art, clothes and modelling by people with learning disabilities.
For readers in England · People and achievements may be from other countries
Nnena Kalu: sculpture and drawing
Nnena Kalu works in London. She has a learning disability. Her art includes drawings and sculptures made by wrapping and layering materials. She won the Turner Prize in 2025. ActionSpace’s profile shows examples of her work, and its award announcement confirms the year.
Tara Halvai: expressing yourself through art
Tara Halvai is an artist in London. She has a learning disability and is autistic. Her Mencap profile explains how she creates art with ARTXV and challenges the idea that people who do not use speech cannot express themselves. You can explore her work without expecting every artist to communicate in the same way.
Judith Scott: an American artist, 1943–2005
Judith Scott had Down syndrome and was Deaf. She made sculptures by wrapping objects in yarn and other materials. Creative Growth tells her story. The Museum of Modern Art in New York has a work by her and an online artist page. Judith died in 2005; the links are about her life and work.
Isabella Springmühl: fashion from Guatemala
Isabella Springmühl has Down syndrome. She established the fashion brand Down to Xjabelle and uses Guatemalan textiles in her designs. In her WIPO interview, she describes showing her work at London Fashion Week in 2016. Guatemala is in Central America; her story is an international example.
Ellie Goldstein: modelling and representation
Ellie Goldstein is a model with Down syndrome. Her work includes Gucci Beauty and the cover of British Vogue. Her Mencap profile includes her views on people with learning disabilities working in fashion. Her professional agency page provides more examples of her modelling.
Explore your own creativity
You could draw, paint, make something, design clothes or visit a gallery. Communication aids, adapted tools, a comfortable workspace and support you choose may help you take part. ActionSpace offers London studio projects for adult artists with learning disabilities. Contact the service to discuss availability, access and cost. You can also ask about groups nearer your home.
About the people in this guide
These profiles use public accounts from the people themselves, their representatives or organisations that work with them. Learning disability is used in its English sense, also called intellectual disability. Dyslexia, ADHD or autism alone does not mean someone has a learning disability. People have different support needs and different ambitions.
Words you could use
“I would like to try … Please help me find an opportunity, understand the cost and arrange the support I choose.”
More useful links
- Nnena Kalu: drawings and sculptures Web page
ActionSpace’s artist profile and pictures of her work.
- Nnena Kalu: the 2025 Turner Prize Web page
ActionSpace’s announcement of the award, 10 December 2025.
- Tara Halvai: making art Web page
Tara’s Mencap profile describes her art, learning disability and communication.
- Judith Scott: her life and art Web page
Creative Growth’s account of the American artist, who had Down syndrome and was Deaf.
- Judith Scott: a sculpture at MoMA Web page
The museum’s artist record includes her life dates and a work to view online.
- Isabella Springmühl: designing clothes Web page
WIPO interview with the Guatemalan designer about her textiles and business.
- Ellie Goldstein: modelling and fashion Web page
Mencap profile with Ellie’s own views, interviews and links to her work.
- Ellie Goldstein: her professional profile Web page
Zebedee Talent describes her modelling, including Gucci Beauty and British Vogue.
- ActionSpace: ask about joining an art studio Web page
Studio opportunities for adults with learning disabilities in London. Ask about places, costs and support.
These links open other websites.
They may use harder words.
Where the information comes from
Links checked 2 November 2026.
These links open other websites.
They may use harder words.
- Nnena Kalu: drawings and sculptures Web page
ActionSpace’s artist profile and pictures of her work.
- Nnena Kalu: the 2025 Turner Prize Web page
ActionSpace’s announcement of the award, 10 December 2025.
- Tara Halvai: making art Web page
Tara’s Mencap profile describes her art, learning disability and communication.
- Judith Scott: her life and art Web page
Creative Growth’s account of the American artist, who had Down syndrome and was Deaf.
- Judith Scott: a sculpture at MoMA Web page
The museum’s artist record includes her life dates and a work to view online.
- Isabella Springmühl: designing clothes Web page
WIPO interview with the Guatemalan designer about her textiles and business.
- Ellie Goldstein: modelling and fashion Web page
Mencap profile with Ellie’s own views, interviews and links to her work.
- Ellie Goldstein: her professional profile Web page
Zebedee Talent describes her modelling, including Gucci Beauty and British Vogue.
- ActionSpace: ask about joining an art studio Web page
Studio opportunities for adults with learning disabilities in London. Ask about places, costs and support.
- Mencap: learning disability and learning difficulty Web page
Easy Read explanation of the different terms.
- ActionSpace: supporting Nnena Kalu Web page
Confirms Nnena’s learning disability and professional development.